Vol 19 Issue 38 October 2015

CHANGEthe

The Magazine of the Kerala Arts amp Literary Association

ISSN 1468-7801

issue

kala agm2015

Front and back cover photos from Shutterstockcom 2

PATRON

Dr PK Sukumaran Nair

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

President Mr K Natarajan

Secretary Dr Krishnan Baburaj

Treasurer Mr Sree Prakash Pillai

Convenor Mr Mony Kochu Pillai

Arts Secretary Mrs Deepa Pillai

Literary Coordinator Mrs Santha Krishnamurthy

Quill Editors Mrs Mini Mohan

Mrs Santha Krishnamurthy

Web amp Social Media Mr Prajeesh Padmakumar

Librarian Dr Jose Mathew

Audio amp Visual Dr Ravi Sekhar

Dr Jose Mathew

Mr Sunil Nair

Nadumuttam Coordinator Dr Vijayanand

Palm Leaf Editorial Board Professor G Netuveli

Dr K A H Mirza

Committee members Mrs Renu Radhakrishnan

YOUTH CO-ORDINATOR

Ms Neetu Nair

PALM LEAF EDITOR

Ms Sangeetha Venugopal

PALM LEAF EDITORIAL TEAM

Mrs Santha Krishnamurthy

Mrs Mini Mohan

Ms Sowmya Krishnan

Mrs Renu Radhakrishnan

Mrs Anita Puliyankalath

Mrs Nisha Nair

Mr Hrishi Marrar

Prof Gopalakrishnan Netuveli

PALM LEAF ILLUSTRATION TEAM

Mrs Sethulekshmy Nair

Ms Aswathy Kumar

Mrs Geetha Menon

TEAMthe kala

3

EDITOR T H E C H A N G E I S S U E

thoughts from the

Autumn is a season of change and this is the inspiration for this

issue of the Palm Leaf September brings the smell of new

unopened pages and school supplies Mother Nature concurs

with the Education Department the leaves start to fall and a chill

enters the air The fields are shorn of burgeoning harvest Itrsquos

time to sadly bid farewell to the heady lazy days of summer

However even though the nights are closing in there is an

excitement in the new experiences that await us - frosty country

walks mulled wine by the fire fireworks ndash and even excitement

in the new challenges that the changing season brings

Never has this autumnal change been more apt a metaphor for

me personally I look back wistfully at the carefree days that are

soon to be behind me a life that will be changing imminently

from ldquoyou and merdquo to ldquous threerdquo Of course there is unbelievable

excitement - lsquowhat will you look likersquo lsquowhatrsquos your favourite

song going to bersquo - but there is also the fear of change

Change by itrsquos very nature is never straightforward or easy

Globally the change in the last few years has been significant

Never in human history has there been such a fast pace of

transformation mainly driven by significant advancements in

technology With mobile phones now ubiquitous for both rich

and poor email Facebook and apps like Skype and Whatsapp

makes communication across continents ridiculously easy

compared to the monthly letters and the odd phone call from a

telephone booth that were the only form of contact my parents

had when we first came to England

The way we work has changed - we can outsource skills to

anywhere in the world and build businesses from our living

rooms Rather than waiting to be ldquodiscoveredrdquo individuals can

be proactive and build media careers on YouTube Facebook

and Twitter Services like Uber are already part of Indian life ndash in

Mumbai you can use your mobile to locate and hire the nearest

empty autorickshaw

As well as the changes due to technology there is major social

change happening in India that cannot be ignored

The case of lsquoNirbhayarsquo has forced India to look at the way it

treats its women In a country where female violence is

commonplace the case prompted a wave of major protests

across India However although there was unanimous

condemnation of the perpetrators the attitudes of the

defendantsrsquo lawyers (educated and supposedly cosmopolitan

men) shows us we still have a long way to go in changing

perceptions across the nation Indeed even amongst people

who consider themselves liberal and modern the attitude that

rape can sometimes be the victimrsquos fault - because of what she

was wearing or the time of day of the rape - is still prevalent

As India continues to ride on its economic wave our attitude as

citizens of India towards its problems must change Our

traditional personal views on issues of mass poverty womenrsquos

rights the caste system gay rights freedom of speech etc must

be challenged - no matter how uncomfortable it makes us - if we

hope to make the big changes our country needs

The Palm Leaf

Closer to home change has come to the Palm Leaf as we bid

goodbye to Professor Gopalakrishnan Netuveli as editor and

thank him for his tenure I hope to continue his excellent work

My vision for the Palm Leaf is twofold Firstly to increase the

number and variety of contributors to the Palm Leaf especially

amongst younger writers We must nurture and grow the in-

house talent we have as well as showcase contributions from

writers in Kerala and beyond

Secondly we should remember the mandate of KALA and

reflect this in the magazine Letrsquos use the Palm Leaf as a

medium to explore and discuss the culture and many art forms

of Kerala For many of us especially the youth KALA is a key if

not the only source to expose our rich heritage

Wersquove had great number of wonderful contributions from the

KALA family and beyond for the change issue A few highlights

that specifically address the theme of change include an

unpublished poem from the late poet Kamala Das detailing a

1994 stay in England with her cousin Indira Menon Manasi

Janadaran writes about the significant life change she

experienced when after many years of living in the UK she

moved back to Kerala with her family and started school in

Trivandrum Sethulekshmy Nair pens a fictional account of past

pain and new beginnings Neetu Nair our youth coordinator

writes a dark fictional account exploring mental illness We are

lucky to have secured a contribution from our President K

Natarajan where he reminisces on life changing personal

experience Three poems penned by Ulloor M Parameswaran

Sowmya Krishnan and Biju Balakrishnan and respectively

discuss the different aspects of change

We also have great contributions from our younger members

Thara Nairrsquos poem about Autumn perfectly expresses the

change of the season Rohan Nairrsquos short story addresses

youth poverty as does Nila Pillairsquos poem lsquoOblivionrsquo

Irsquod like to thank all the contributors and offer a special thanks to

the editorial team whorsquove worked so hard in sourcing articles

proofreading illustrating and giving me

great advice in order to bring this

issue together I hope you all

enjoy it

Sangeetha Venugopal

4

ofLIST CONTENTS

01KALA CHIEF GUEST 2015 pg 6ON THE CREST OF A WAVE SHWETA MENON

Santhosh Pillai

02KALA PURASKARAM WINNER pg 7CHOLLIYATTAM ON A GLOBAL STAGE DR ETTUMANOOR P KANNAN

Gopalakrishnan Netuveli

05TOWARDS A NEW DAWN pg 10

A short story by Sethulekshmy Nair

06A DAY IN THE LIFE OFhellip pg 12

A personal account by Manasi Janadaran

08FOR ARTrsquoS SAKE pg 13

An article by Anita Puliyankalath

09THERErsquoS NOTHING WRONG WITH ME pg 14

A short story by Neetu Nair

10LET GO pg 18

A poem by Sowmya Krishnan

11A CRUISE THROUGH HISTORY pg 19

A travelogue by P Ramachandran

12RUNNING THE MARATHON pg 21

A personal account by Rahul Krishnan

04THE PEOPLErsquoS PRESIDENT pg 9

A tribute by Geetha Menon

13അവിടടവ ം തവിട ം pg 23

A personal account by K Natarajan

03NO 11 GEORGIAN CLOSE pg 8

An unpublished poem by Kamala Das

16കടൽകടനനതതിയ കലയ ടട കഥ pg 27

A thought piece by Janaki Nair

17A CONVERSATION WITH AJITH PILLAI pg 29An interview by ldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

20TALES FROM THE KULASEKHARAM pg 35

A letter from GK Nampoothiri

21AUTUMN pg 38

A poem by Thara Nair

22TRENT THE TURKEY pg 39

A short story by Pranav Menon

24OBLIVIOUS pg 41

A poem by Nila Pillai

25RAGS TO RICHES pg 42

A short story by Rohan Nair

26KALEIDOSCOPE pg 45

A poem by Ananya Krishnan

27TOM AND MAYANK IN SOUTH AFRICA pg 46

A story by Siddie Pillai

19പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം pg 32

A biography by Anil Zain

23ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO CAPABILITY pg 40

A poem by Nandita V

18മാററം pg 31

A poem by Ulloor M Parameswaran

14വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦ pg 25

A poem by Biju Balakrishnan

15ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo pg 26

A short story by പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി 5

07THE CARTOON STRIP pg 12

THE WORLD THROUGH KUMBAKARNANrsquoS EYEShellipGeetha Menon

Shweta Menon is a symbol of the rejuvenation taking place in

contemporary Malayalam cinema Versatile in portraying strong

characters she has proven time and time again she is an actor

of substance as well as style KALA is delighted to have

Shweta as the chief guest at its 19th Annual Day celebrations

this year

Born in Calicut Shweta caught the attention of the media when

she competed in the Miss India contest in 1994 and finished

second runner up behind Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai

She split her time between modelling and acting for a few years

before making her mark in Malayalam cinema in several

critically acclaimed films Along the way she has twice won the

Kerala State award for the Best Actress

ldquoI am happy that I have won the awards for two very different

roles My first one for Ranjithrsquos Paleri Manickyam was for a

difficult complex woman called Cheeru who had no say over

her life while Maya in Salt Nrsquo Pepper is a contemporary woman

who is the mistress of her liferdquo Shweta said at the time

Salt Nrsquo Pepper a hit of 2011 saw Shwetarsquos stellar performance

as a character who is a dubbing artiste and foodie The movie

turned out to be the appetiser for a feast of films that followed

and rejuvenated the jaded palates of viewers of Malayalam

cinema Finally the industry had realised that actresses who

have crossed their teens can still carry a film on their own

Sarojini a character Shweta portrayed in the film Madhya

Venal was another of her performances that was noteworthy

She was in yet another award winner in P Balachandranrsquos

Ivan Megharoopan that won the Kerala State Film Award for

the second best film She played Maya Maheswari a nurse

who looks after the protagonist P Madhavan Nair in the movie

a character based on the life of poet P Kunhiraman Nair

Another noteworthy role was in Madhupalrsquos Ozhimuri in which

she played Kaliamma

In addition to acting in over 80 films so far Shweta is an

accomplished dancer She has also established herself as a

popular anchor of TV programmes She is married to

Sreevalsan Menon and they have a daughter Sabaina

SHWETA MENONon the crest of a wave

B Y S A N T H O S H P I L L A I

chief guest KALA annual 2015

6

All the worlds a stage

And all the men and women merely players

They have their exits and their entrances

And one man in his time plays many parts

-William Shakespeare As You Like It Act II Scene VII

When the Bard of Avon penned these words he would not have

imagined that it could be literally interpreted as a call for creative

fusion with cultural boundaries becoming fuzzy and media of

expressions getting mixed That is what the 2015 recipient of

Kalapuraskaram has achieved Dr Ettumanoor P Kannan whom

The Indian Express described as a dangerous mind melds the

kinesics of Kathakali with the poetry of Shakespearean tragedy

He does so without compromising the Bards words or the rules

of Kathakali

Shakespeare is not new to Kathakali in 1999 Australian

playwright-director David McRuvie and French actor- dancer

Annette Leday brought Kathakali King Lear to the Globe

Theatre Margi Madhu the first recipient of Kalapuraskaram

systematised Macbeth for Kathakali The tragedy of Macbeth

was Kannanrsquos choice when he first decided to adapt

Shakespeare to the idiom of Kathakali at Pennsylvania in 2001

It is no wonder too since among the four great Shakespearean

tragedies Macbeth is the one nearest to the elements of the

great Greek tragedies with the human struggle to outwit their

fate and it is also near to the Indian epics the source of many

great Kathakali stories where the pivotal agents are often

feminine A trained Clinical Psychologist Kannan may have

been drawn to Macbeth with its rich tapestry of psychodrama

His interest in the psychology of the characters may have

influenced his choice of Cholliyaattam over Kathakali as his

medium of expression

The only difference between Cholliyaattam and Kathakali is the

absence of costume and heavy makeup Kannan finds that to

the uninitiated the costume can be a distraction With that

distraction removed Kannan can explore and expose the mental

landscape of the Macbeths as they play out their tragic tale

When it was first staged the Macbeth Cholliyaattam Kannan

was accompanied on the stage by a female actor as Lady

Macbeth Then after a hiatus of 12 years he presented it to a

Keralan audience as a solo performance One result of going

solo is the sense of alienation from the characters that evolves

during the performance while at the same time increasing

preoccupation with the techniques In other words the performer

turns auteur and with that Kannan places his personal stamp on

this art form

Born in 1968 Kannan started his Kathakali training at the early

age of nine For the next 22 years he trained in Kalluvazhi

(Northern) style under great and celebrated masters like

Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharodi (disciple of Padmasree

Vazhenkata Kunchunair) Kalanilayam Mohankumar (disciple of

Guru Kalamandalam Kuttan) and Padmasree Mani Madhava

Chakyar Versatility of Kannan can be perceived in the multiple

personae he presents the Performer the Academician the

Lecturer and the Director In Kathakali Kannan shines in pacha

and kathi roles Perhaps Kannanrsquos uniqueness lies in his

treatment of Kathakali academically and translating it for the

foreign audience As a Director he is adept both in traditional

forms of Kathakali theatre as well as transcending it into post

modern theatre Beyond Kathakali Kannan conducts courses in

personality development incorporating aspects of Yoga and has

his own system called Joyous Internal Awareness and

Management for the success of younger generations

His talent received its first recognition when he was twelve and

won the first prize for Kathakali in the State Youth Festival He

went on to win it for the next three years also

Since then he has won many more awards

KALA is really proud to present this

versatile artist the 2015

Kalapuraskaram for his outstanding

and innovative contribution to

Cholliyattam

ETTUMANOOR P KANNANcholliyaattam on a global stage

B Y P R O F E S S O R G O P A L A K R I S H N A N N E T U V E L I

kala puraskaramwinner 2015

7

GEORGIAN CLOSEA P O E M B Y K A M A L A D A S

no 11

The world renowned Kamala Das who passed away in 2009 was a prolific and much admired Malayali author and poet known for her brave and forthright writing both in

Malayalam and in English She wrote this unpublished poem while staying with her cousin Indira and Sethu Menon (former KALA members) during a visit to England in 1994 on

invitation from Southbank Centre in London to read her poems at the International Poetry Festival

In sleepy Crawley

No11 Georgian Close was

the oasis where as a weary traveller

I paused to pitch my tent

Winter had arrived there

cat-treaded and had laid its paw

on the fish pond glazing its skin

and wilting the lilies one by one

The roses curled inwards then

as fists clenched in fear

and quite often the fog lingered long

over the red bricked neighbourhood

I was a total wreck

to say the very least

sailing so long on unchartered seas

confronting the turbulence of the swell

the sun had settled in my eyes

and a fatigue slumbered in my soul

Winter nuzzled the window panes

of No11 Georgian Close

but a perpetual summer dwelt within

cradling the strays the homesick ones

in unaccustomed warmth

Sethu and Indira were so adept at

putting their guest at ease

From the debris of emotional storms

from the rubble and the dust

hope rose again as sap must inevitably rise

within trees in the wake of a winter

however harsh and cold

Photo of the Menonsrsquo garden which inspired Kamala Dasrsquo poem

8

These were the wise and motivating words of Avul Pakir

Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam or APJ Abdul Kalam as he was

better known As Indiarsquos eleventh president Kalam ignited

minds and was popularly referred to as the lsquoPeoplersquos

Presidentrsquo Although never groomed for a political career it

was through sheer hard work and significant achievements

as a scientist that he was elected to the presidential post in

2002 unanimously and in a rare show of unity by the two

large parties in India

Abdul Kalam was the youngest of four brothers and one

sister He was born into a relatively poor Muslim Tamil

family ndash his father Jainulabudeen was a boat owner and the

imam of a small local mosque His mother Ashiamma was

a housewife Through hard work he won a scholarship to

study Aerospace Engineering at the Madras Institute of

Technology He worked at the Indian Space Research

Organisation (ISRO) where he was part of the team that

helped to deploy the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in

1980 Building on his scientific background Abdul Kalam

also served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime

Minister between 1992-1999

During his 5 year tenure as president Abdul Kalam

personified dignity and spread optimism during his travels

throughout India and abroad His stirring speeches at the

UN and the European Parliament are among the best ever

delivered His simplicity in oration and action were

applauded and endeared him to all those who listened

PRESIDENTthe peoplersquos

A T R I B U T E T O A B D U L K A L A M B Y G E E T H A M E N O N

Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than running after swift but synthetic happiness

9

1931 - 2015

On completing his single term as President he returned to a civilian life of education writing and public service devoting his

life to causes such as the nationrsquos poverty and continuing his passion as a scientist to promote Indiarsquos civilian space program

and pro-nuclear efforts He was the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Bharat Ratna Indias highest civilian

honour It was while he was delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong that Mr Kalam collapsed and

died from an apparent cardiac arrest on 27 July 2015 aged 83 The nation mourned the death of one of its finest ex-Presidents

and an exemplary civilian He was buried with full state honours at his hometown of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu

India never had a more beloved president and although his sudden passing left a nation bereaved it will long celebrate the life

of a man steeped in simplicity and the embodiment of the best that India can be KALA pays its respects to truly the peoplersquos

President

I do not know what time it is My husband Subu seems to

have fallen asleep or has he I can see only the top of his

head his hands crossed over the book he was reading with

the page facing down on his chest and his folded knees The

ranthal light is still burning He has a watch but I donrsquot want

to disturb him Why should I know the time There is no

reason I donrsquot think I will get a wink of sleep tonight The

swaying of this vallam should rock me to sleep in normal

circumstances but not tonight I am travelling to a world

unknown to me I donrsquot know what to expect tomorrow and I

am scared

This is my first long journey with my husband There was a

lot of objection from my amma and ammavan Behind their

backs my younger brother Kavunni was the only one who

was supportive Subursquos amma was not happy at all but she

knew that he being a modern man would do only what he

wanted You could say that Ilsquom eloping with my husband of

19 years The family thinks that I was going with him to

Ambalapuzha Parthasarathi Temple for a pooja The journey

started in a kettuvallam from our village Our horse cart will

be waiting for us in Kollam to take us all the way to

Thiruvananthapuram and finally I am going to live with him

This terrible pain has been twisting and crushing both inside

and outside of my being making me feel worthless for the

past 13 years - since the death of my little girl Devaki I was

so lucky to fall pregnant at the age of 14 five years after our

veli and a year after consummation of marriage She was so

beautiful so perfect

Chettan Pottirsquos antharjanam had not been able to conceive

after years of veli and she is desperate to bear a child for

the family They have to have a boy to continue the family

take over their vast property and to pass on the

responsibility of doing all lsquoafter deathrsquo rites for ancestors of

bygone ages Chechi antharjanam used to whisper in my ear

secretly that she did not mind having a girl or a boy I had

been showing off my belly to her - making her feel the life

inside me Have I been secretly taunting her

Being a second child Subu had the freedom of leaving

Vellimana to continue his education where as his older

brother had a bit more restriction to his lifestyle At the time

of our veli Subu having already passed the 4th standard

examination was a teacher in the Padayanar Kulangara

government primary school He could handle Malayalam

Tamil and Sanskrit well and was a voracious reader He

made me learn the languages and brought me lots of books

A couple of years after Devursquos death Subu left to join his

father who was a sub registrar in Vaikom and he passed his

English matriculation examination from Kottayam CMS

school Helsquos now working as a tutor in Maharajas College

Thiruvananthapuram after taking his BA degree from there I

wanted him to stay in the village with me but he could not

quench his thirst for further knowledge living in our small

village Or was it an escape from the deep sorrow of losing a

child

There was another ambition as well A dedicated teacher at

the age of 16 he was loved by his students Once a school

inspector came to the school for inspection unannounced

Subu was a bit late after thevaram The inspector asked a

student a question and the young teacher standing behind

the inspector could not help giving the little one a clue The

inspector said ldquoPotti you are not fit to be a teacher maybe

you are just good enough to be a temple priest Go and do

ambala santhirdquo He was so annoyed that he made a promise

to himself to become an inspector one day So that could be

another reason to get away from the village

He was lucky he could leave the village and go far away

from where it happened But I had to stay back facing the

monotonous life each day He wanted me to go with him but

that was not allowed by the Kshatriya or Namboothiri society

and their customs even though you were following your

husband ldquoCome with me Ambika you donrsquot have to feel

guiltyrdquo he said I was very young and having heard of no one

leaving home before was not bold enough to go against my

mother and uncle So my life went on around our temple a

ldquoThat was the worst day of my life

13 long years agohelliprdquo

DAWNA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y S E T H U L E K S H M Y N A I R

towards a new

Sethulekshmy is a retired gynaecologist In her spare time she is a keen writer and artist as well as a doting ammumma to Bodhi and Tulsi

10

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

handful of cousins and kitchen and reading books until now

I was very lonely Often I hold my barren and cursed belly

and cry in solitude Subu came to me whenever he could

but that was not very often or enough for me If only I had

another child

That was the worst day in my life 13 long years ago Devu

was only 1frac12 years old and came running to me saying that

she was hungry I was busy in the kitchen getting the lunch

ready with amma I said ldquoCome and have a drink of my

milkrdquo She moved my rouka away and suckled When she

was satisfied she covered me I put the wooden spoon

down gave her a quick cuddle and kiss and said ldquoOff you

go dear and play Once ammarsquos hands are free I will find

you and play with yourdquo

Rice was ready to be drained and then I heard someone

shouting ldquoambotti amma kunjurdquo It was from the pond

side and I rushed outside Devu had fallen into the pond

How did she get there I had no idea Velu who was on the

top of the coconut palm heard something falling into the

water He saw the cart he had made for her that morning on

the side of the pond By the time I came out he had dived

into the water and had lifted her limp body up I just stood

there helpless unable to move Kavunni had taken over and

tried to help her to breath My body and mind went still and I

was unaware of what followed Next thing I remember was

hearing Subursquos sorrowful voice saying ldquoAmbika our Devu

has left us forever a gift given to us only for a short time

Do you want to come and see herrdquo

He supported me to get up and walk There she was in the

nalukettu all wrapped up in white cloth looking ever so

peaceful and beautiful with a burning nilavilakku by her side

I fainted again

Devursquos little face flashes in my mind whenever I think of

another child After each of Subursquos visit I offer a thumba

flower garland to Lord Siva asking for his blessings for a

child but then a couple of weeks later my hope perishes

Lord Siva has had lots of garlands from me Prayers were

the only one thing I could do and hope kept me going Subu

wrote the first Malayalam vilapa kavyam after her death He

has read it to me so many times and together we cry

reading it The pain we feel is beyond any explanation

For the past one year Subu has been gently persuading me

to go and live with him in Thiruvananthapuram He says

there is a big hospital in Thycaud where womenrsquos problems

are taken care of The hospital is run by white nurses and

doctors from England I believe that they will check me over

and say if I can have a child Amma antharjanam has been

giving chechi antharjanam and me ayurveda medicines

straight from her back garden to make us conceive for years

now If Lord Siva and she canrsquot help how can these white

doctors It took a year for Subu to make me say yes Only

yesterday he told me what these people might do to me

There was no turning back then All travel arrangements

have been made secretly between Subu and Kavunni

I am totally scared My trust is in my loving husband and the

Lord I cannot sleep at all I closed my eyes tight and said to

myself ldquothis is what I would do tomorrow just see my Lord

in my inner mind and offer him

another thumba garlandrdquo I felt a

pair of hands touching my

shivering tiny body He held

my hands in his big warm hands

and whispered ldquoWelsquore going to

have children lots of them

Their tiny noises will fill the

walls of your kovilakam again

Do not give up hope Now get

some sleep before dawnrdquo It was

very comforting but I know that

both of us will not get any sleep

tonight He dimmed the ranthal

light and the vallam swayed to

the rhythm of waves may be

towards a fresh dawn in my life

11

M A N A S I J A N A D A R A N

Manasi is in Year 11 at Trivandrum International School After many years of living in the UK she moved back to Kerala with her parents three years ago

I wake up at around seven in the weekends to see the stunning

Aakulam Lake surrounded by a dense canopy of coconut palms

After staring at the picturesque view for a couple of minutes I

climb out of bed and get dressed before heading down to see

whatrsquos for breakfast

After the usual disappointment in finding out that breakfast is the

regular omelette and fried banana I go down to the pool

Though itrsquos the morning the water is still warm because of the

unbearable heat outside and I still have time to do a few laps

before the sun rises fully

After swimming Irsquom forced to sit down and study for an hour or

two with the inevitable breaks in between These sessions are

impossible to avoid given that every child even a ten year old

has to write exams every month

Lunch is as usual rice dahl and thoran Some people may find

this a wonderful combination but personally for me itrsquos just a little

repetitive After lunch I have to take a twenty minute drive

towards the city

Many might believe a car journey is a peaceful time to relax and

stare out at the beautiful scenery outside but not here Any

opportunity I get to let my thoughts wander is disrupted by the

constant blaring of horns Though the ride is short I still

encounter several near death experiences as a cause of

reckless driving before arriving at my destination

I spend the next few hours in the city with my friends Usually we

pass the time in a restaurant or a cafeacute (no bowling alleys or ice-

skating rings in Trivandrum) often chatting about the unbearable

heat or the new shopping mall that is supposedly being built

Dinner is often spent at my cousinsrsquo house I spend the night

running around playing football and waiting for the food to cook

(rice again) Finally when we all sit at the table and begin eating

the peaceful atmosphere is disrupted by a few screams as we

see a lizard darting under the table After a few rounds of

running around the table trying to catch it we settle down again

to finish the meal

Lying in bed I often think about how the day has been Though

my average day here is pretty crazy and filled with unpleasant

surprises it makes my life much more interesting Itrsquos almost too

easy to fall asleephellipuntil a storm hits and the monsoon rain is

lashes against the window making sleeping a little harder

in theDAY LIFEa ofhellip

12

THE WORLD THROUGH KUMBAKARNANrsquoS EYEShellip

STRIPhellipthe cartoon

BY GEETHA MENON

for

ARTrsquoS SAKEB Y A N I T A P U L I Y A N K A L A T H

Many of us from Kerala are exposed to the creative arts in

some form or the other But how many of us know about

mural wall painting ndash the transformation of an uninteresting

surface wall to an unforgettable artistic experience How

many of us have seen these wall paintings amp wondered at

their timeless beauty intricate design and rich vibrant

colours

For the uninitiated a traditional Kerala mural is a painting

mainly seen on the walls ceilings of temples and palaces

They depict mostly gods goddesses saints kings nature

and scenes from our epics and Indian mythology It is an

exquisite art form

Do we know how these are created In the traditional style

of mural painting only vegetable colours and natural

pigments are used These can all be sourced locally in

Kerala

The first step in mural art is the meticulous preparation of

the wall The wall is prepared with a rough plastering of lime

and sand mixed with the juice of kadukkai or chunnambvelli

dissolved with palm sugar A smooth plaster with ground

cotton is then applied After 10 days 25 to 30 coats of lime

and tender coconut water is applied till the thickness of the

coat is as thin as a tamarind leaf The mural is painted only

once the wall is completely dry

The five basic colours used in mural painting are yellow

ochre red sap green indigo blue and black The black

colour is made from soot taken from oil lamps A light yellow

colouring is used for sketching instead of pencil and the

piece is perfected with thin black lines The fine brushes

used are made from the delicate blades of arrow grass

lsquoEyyam Pullursquo found in the rural areas of Kerala

Only a skilled artist can work on them for hours and the

motifs are drawn from the lsquoDhyana Slokasrsquo verbal images of

the deities It is often believed that the artist has a divine

vision (lsquoDivya Dhirshtirsquo) which he transforms from his mindrsquos

eye to create a masterpiece using his deftly creative hands

Today one can see some of these exquisite murals in the

Shiva temple of Ettumanoor Guruvayoor temple near

Trichur Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Trivandrum

Churches at Cheppad Alappuzha the Ramayana Murals of

Mattancherry Palace and many more

However in present times in order to bring mural art closer

home many artists have used different materials like

plywood terracotta bamboo and canvass to paint murals

This enables ordinary people like us to appreciate its beauty

Commercial viability has made it possible for talented artists

to use acrylic colours on the Kerala saree shirts and

churidar tops to replicate some of the murals and today

many hotel lobbies and shopping malls are adorned with

beautiful artistic pieces of mural allowing the common man

to experience this sublime art form

So the next time you visit your hometown be sure to look out

for these gems of creation that will fill your soul with artistic

elation

Anita has a Masters Degree in Public Management University of Madras India and is married to Darshan a Marine Pilot They live in Kent and in her spare time she enjoys gardening music crosswords community development yoga and Aerobics

Mural by an artist Ms Geetha from Trivandrum

13

WRONG WITH ME

Age 18

ldquoWake up Greendale Itrsquos 6am Wake uprdquo

The shrill orders screeched at me from beyond my bedroom

door I remain still as if deaf to my wake up call Clutching

the thin salmon coloured covers I stretch my neck in an

attempt to relieve myself from the agonising pain of only

having one pillow to sleep on Slowly I force myself to open

my lazy eyes and stare intently at the grey walls All that is

left now is to listen to my roommate Lisa snore and mutter

to herself in her sleep Pushing myself up into a comfortable

seated position I allow my surroundings to embed

themselves on to my brain A cold room that is occupied by

two beds two sinks two desks and a few of Lisarsquos knitting

books I rest my back against the walls and close my eyes

It was easy to shut my eyes and get lost in the never-

ending pitted blackness that conquered my eyelids

Sometimes I never wanted to open them Itrsquos my escape A

world that I can actually call mine I wallow in what feels like

silky black sheets and envisage a world where I can run

freely with no inhibitions The black fades seamlessly into a

green field dotted with idyllic flowers My neurons create the

feeling of the soles of my feet grazing against the ground as

I pelt through the field feeling the pulse of wind on my

cheek Liberation I donrsquot ever want to open my eyes I want

to stay in this world where I can control every minute detail

to a tee I am physics Without mercy for my soulrsquos rest a

heavy hand clouts upon my unsuspecting shoulder and

opening my eyes I see Lisa her eyes fixated on me Her

blonde short curly hair dishevelled and her eyelashes

coated thick in sleep What appeared to be unkempt

appearance was merely insanity masking the true beauty

beneath

I watched Lisa rub her eyes and sluggishly put on her white

plimsolls Despite being undernourished her scrawny body

moved as if she had masses of weight to carry the burden

of her emotional angst bringing her down Lisa looked at me

as if to say lsquoget a move onrsquo Cracking a half-hearted smile I

stared at my own white plimsolls at the foot of my bed They

seemed so far away so unreachable With a struggle I

stretched across and reached out for them

ldquoGreendale patients It is 630am Breakfast is in 10

minutesrdquo

It was time to get ready for the day ahead My heart

plummeted into the pit of my stomach and a wave of nausea

threw its slurry northward I felt the weight of my head on my

shoulders and slowly but surely my eyes started to fill up

with salty tears This is my life

ldquoYou readyrdquo asked Lisa Nodding I followed her out of

Room 13

My name is Elizabeth Mary Margaret and I am a Greendale

Psychiatric Institute patient

mdashmdashmdash

Age 12

This is my story The story of how a normal girl ended up in

a psychiatric ward (normal being the operative word) It all

began when I was 12 a tender adolescent teenager facing

the usual trials and tribulations that came with the age I

always knew that I was different to the other girls Whilst

they worried about their bodies and boys I worried about the

darker things in life things that would make your skin crawl

Infatuated by the mind of a murderer the motives of a rapist

the depression of an alcoholic I would allow myself to

wander hopelessly in their shoes Some may call it intuition

a natural curiosity for the darker things unknown but from a

very young age I knew that mine was no innocent interest

but a cynical unforgiving obsession An obsessive need that

I possessed compounded with jealousy

On the 12th April 1994 my life started to take a downward

spiral into the pits of my own dark unimaginable thoughts It

was my 12th birthday and what started of with cake and

presents quickly turned ugly as I had an encounter with the

A S H O R T S T O R Y B Y N E E T U N A I R

there is nothing

Neetu is currently finishing her degree in English Language amp Communication from Oxford Brookes University She is a keen writer and hopes to work in Forensics where she can combine her love of investigating crimes with her passion for writing

14

neighbourrsquos cat As my mother entertained party guests I

slowly slipped to the back of my garden where I would often

retreat to watch a busy ant farm I had created I took care

and had meticulously planned how my ant farm was to look

After three weeks of hard work I had reached my goal

Tending to them everyday I worked up a sweat making sure

they were all okay and as today was my birthday I decided to

spend as much time with them as possible Squatting down

next to them I watched them work and as I slowly became

engrossed in studying their movements Misty the

neighbourrsquos tabby walked over them ruining all my hard

work I remember how I felt clearly a huge rush of heat

overcoming my body My cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tears I clenched my fists and watched Misty as she

graciously ruined my masterpiece without a care in the

world It was unforgivable and cruel and as my mother

coined it ldquobad behaviourrdquo

I glared at Misty at which point my feline foe was staring

right back at me She was relentless in my eyes and her

ldquobad behaviourrdquo meant she had to pay Glancing back at my

mum confirming her attention was not on me I quickly

swiped the cat and ran into my wendy house where I

slammed her to the ground and bludgeoned her with a rock

killing her for what she did to my ant farm

To my dismay my mother saw Mistyrsquos dead body laying

under my hat that evening as she was cleaning up after my

party From then on I was summoned to counselling

mdashmdashmdash

Age 13

A year later I was branching into dangerous territory and

felt no guilt for my actions I wanted to cease mankind be

the last woman standing I wanted to be alone in complete

isolation For the past year I had mutilated over twelve

animals and my counsellor had referred me to a doctor who

was assigned to ldquodiagnoserdquo me Nothing was wrong with me

mdashmdashmdash

Age 17

ldquoElizabeth would you come down hererdquo my mother called

up to my room

My mother Jeanette Jane Margaret was a woman of great

standards She believed in keeping up appearances and

was bitterly ashamed of me She would never take me out

for I was a disturbed child and on the rare occasion she did I

would always end up ldquomisbehavingrdquo Mother believed in old-

fashioned customs banning me to my room when I was

naughty was a regularity in this household She did not want

to ever believe that something was wrong with me she

called it a phase The last four years had been turmoil for I

had done things that nightmares were made of I had

bludgeoned animals pushed my sister down the stairs in

rage lit my motherrsquos favourite dress on fire and been

excluded from school

But nothing was wrong with me I was just different

Misunderstood ldquoYesrdquo I asked monotonously avoiding eye

contact

ldquoDr Keele called He is making a house callrdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo

ldquoOh for heavens sake Elizabethrdquo my mothers voice trembled

with frustration fused with sadness

Dr Keele made regular house calls each one intensifying my

confusion

ldquoWhyrdquo I pushed for an answer

ldquoElizabeth you are ruining this familyrdquo Her harsh words

violently pierced my heart I stared back at her into her soul

She was evil she did not understand me

ldquoRuining this family This picture perfect family Howrdquo I

said containing my anger

ldquoHow HOW You are really going to stand there and ask

me such stupid questions I have tried to be patient tried to

listen and guide you But you do wrong You wonrsquot learn

Hiding you in this house for the past five years was a

mistake You are not normal Elizabeth Itrsquos time for a

changerdquo

ldquoA change What sort of changerdquo

ldquoYou need help For as long as I can remember you have

ldquoMy cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tearshelliprdquo

15

been hurting those around you Family friendshellipanimalsrdquo

My motherrsquos words cut me like a knife a sharp pain took

over my body It was anger it was hot and ready to unleash

itrsquos fire breathing dragon to burn her for her insolence

Nothing was wrong with me

At that moment Dr Keele rang the doorbell He was a

dishevelled looking man whose outward unkempt

appearance was no reflection of his intelligent mind I had

respect for him and he was the only one who would talk to

me in a free manner holding no fear in his facial expression

As my mother set down a cup of tea for him he began to

speak

ldquoElizabeth you are looking wellrdquo

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I was drained My

hair was up in a messy ponytail my glasses slipping off the

bridge of my nose It was 4pm and I was still in my pyjamas

Dr Keele was obviously trying to ease the tension in the

room with cheap insincere flattery

For a moment time stood still It was silent and I could feel

motherrsquos eyes on me like a hawk watching its prey Dr Keele

sighed as he took a sip of his tea and as he placed the cup

onto the table he started to rub his temples Leaning

forward he gave a warm smile bearing all of his pearly

whites He stared at me Some would say that the silence

was unbearable and awkward but I basked in it It was a

time that I had to just be and even though I knew I was the

subject of scrutiny it felt peaceful that no one was talking to

me or rather at me My mind drifted off into its own world

I imagined myself sitting in a park alone There were no

other children with me I watched the swings move back and

forth bouncing off the winds power The sky was grey and

the flowers had all wilted It was heaven As I looked around

the park it seemed simply beautiful that such tranquillity was

so easily achieved I examined every corner of the park and

could not help but feel excitement at how perfect it was As I

looked to the playground I noticed that a foul loathsome

creature interrupted the ambience I had created It was a

rabbit Blasted animals I slowly made my way over to the

four-legged freak I could not fathom how people deemed

this ghastly looking thing as cute and with that I swung my

leg back and kicked it in the neck Music came in the form of

its neck breaking as I had injured it Good I sat there

smiling to myself and the power I had held over this pathetic

defenceless creature

Suddenly I felt my mind slip out of this stream of

consciousness I had indulged in I realised that I was sitting

in my living room opposite Dr Keele and mother and a good

five minutes had gone and it was completely silent This was

an abnormality and instantly I knew something was wrong

At once I snapped back into the room and found mother and

Dr Keele whispering together I hated whispering it was

rude and unmannerly Dr Keele noticed that I wasnrsquot day

dreaming anymore

ldquoAh Elizabeth I am glad to see yoursquore backrdquo

I winced I could tell he was lying he was a doctor and this

was a job He was not ldquogladrdquo to see I was back he was

being superfluous

ldquoI expect you are wondering why it has been so quiet for so

longrdquo Dr Keele asked full of hope

ldquoNordquo I monotonously responded

ldquoElizabeth you are special and you have the ability to be

moulded into a wonderful woman You know that your

mother has been having a lot of trouble with you over the

past couple of years with your behavioural problems and I

havenrsquot seemed to knuckle down on a diagnosis for this

conduct you embodyrdquo

16

ldquoThere is nothing wrong with merdquo

ldquoOf courserdquo Dr Keele attempted to console me ldquoThere is

indeed nothing wrong with you but as your doctor I need to

do what is best for you and your motherrdquo I did not like

where this was going

ldquoSo after speaking to a few doctors at the surgery I think it

would be beneficial for you to go to a special place for a few

months to really tackle this issuerdquo

Dr Keele coined the term ldquospecialrdquo as if I was 10 years old

and naiumlve enough to fall for his gentle tone when in fact it

was annoyingly patronising

ldquoGreendale Psychiatric Institute is a lovely place not far

from here It will help pull the reigns in on this problem

There is a room waiting for you and a roommate called Lisa

too You will have a blast and better yet you will be

happierrdquo

ldquoYou will be normal Lizrdquo my mother uttered

I will be normal I will be normal I will be normal No matter

how many times I replayed that word in my head it did not

make sense to me I was normal and it was demeaning of

my mother to use this mundane word as criteria she needed

my personality to hit It was demoralising and slowly I felt

the pain and anger in me boil to temperatures unknown

This woman had carried me for nine months essentially

brought me up and she had the nerve to stop treating me

like her child but rather some abnormal science project

She prodded at my feelings dissected my emotional hold on

life and burnt my will to live She did not understand me no

one did No one could gauge how difficult this was and how

burdened I felt

I will not go to Greendale I will not I will not I will not I was

determined

Unfortunately my determination was not enough Three

days later I was taken there kicking and screaming As the

taxi made its way down the path I caught sight of my

motherrsquos somewhat uplifted demeanour I could not distract

myself from the sense of relief that I had bestowed upon her

face It was heart-breaking that my mother my own flesh

and blood was so elated to see me go

mdashmdashmdash

Age 18

Present day Greendale

Breakfast was over and I traipsed back to my room Lisa

had a knitting lesson and I was lucky to be alone for an

hour I sat down on my bed causing the steel frame to

creak with agony I closed my eyes and felt my tears run

down my cheek I looked at myself in the mirror What I had

come to I was a beaten down run over person I was lost

and confused and my life had pushed me to boundaries I

did not know existed I could not do this anymore As I

reflected on my life I realised how little those around me

knew I felt no guilt for motherrsquos pain Keelersquos frustration and

for all the animals I tortured I guess this was Godrsquos way of

toying with me giving me less freedom than an animal The

four walls closed in on me and my body shook with fear I

needed to stop I needed to be free

Ripping a piece of paper out of my notebook I racked my

mind for words With a shaky hand I wrote

Mother

There was is nothing wrong with me

Elizabeth

Clasping the paper in my hand I carefully lay it on my

pillow I was ready for a change I was ready for a different

life where I did not need to deal with judging eyes and

whispering behind my back Slowly I stood on my chair and

looped my jogging bottoms round the curtain rail I tied it

around my neck feeling the waistline dig into it Smite me

almighty smiter

With that I closed my eyes and told myself I was ready

Stepping off I felt my lungs struggle I felt my legs kick

frantically I was panicking as life ebbed slowly from my

body I could have stopped it but I didnrsquot

For I needed change

17

LET GOhellipA P O E M B Y S O W M Y A K R I S H N A N

The flowers whispered a silent word

The hum in your ears was so unheard

The clouds too listened and shed a tear

The pain of separation is an intimate fear

The time of ever having to let go

The very moment when you try not to show

The emptiness your heart a bottomless pit

That spark in your eye no more seems lit

But the most painful part yet to come

They left you their faces still blossomed with fun

Just as much as you seemed shattered

To them it looked like it hardly mattered

Embracing each other they walked away

You grappled for a reason to make them stay

But then you saw you were alone in this

They didnrsquot seem to find anything amiss

You desired to see those smiling faces once more

Faces you used to see everyday at your door

Yoursquod held them so close once upon a time

But now ask yourself ldquoWere they ever really minerdquo

Its time to turn away too just leave them be

Maybe you saw a bond that they couldnrsquot see

A bond they didnrsquot mind breaking so

Yes theyrsquore not yours just let go

-SK

by Aswathy Kumar

Sowmya is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has recently moved to Chester to join her husband Prashant Menon who she married in December 2014 She has always enjoyed writing poetry and wishes she had more time to devote to it

18

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

kala agm2015

Front and back cover photos from Shutterstockcom 2

PATRON

Dr PK Sukumaran Nair

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

President Mr K Natarajan

Secretary Dr Krishnan Baburaj

Treasurer Mr Sree Prakash Pillai

Convenor Mr Mony Kochu Pillai

Arts Secretary Mrs Deepa Pillai

Literary Coordinator Mrs Santha Krishnamurthy

Quill Editors Mrs Mini Mohan

Mrs Santha Krishnamurthy

Web amp Social Media Mr Prajeesh Padmakumar

Librarian Dr Jose Mathew

Audio amp Visual Dr Ravi Sekhar

Dr Jose Mathew

Mr Sunil Nair

Nadumuttam Coordinator Dr Vijayanand

Palm Leaf Editorial Board Professor G Netuveli

Dr K A H Mirza

Committee members Mrs Renu Radhakrishnan

YOUTH CO-ORDINATOR

Ms Neetu Nair

PALM LEAF EDITOR

Ms Sangeetha Venugopal

PALM LEAF EDITORIAL TEAM

Mrs Santha Krishnamurthy

Mrs Mini Mohan

Ms Sowmya Krishnan

Mrs Renu Radhakrishnan

Mrs Anita Puliyankalath

Mrs Nisha Nair

Mr Hrishi Marrar

Prof Gopalakrishnan Netuveli

PALM LEAF ILLUSTRATION TEAM

Mrs Sethulekshmy Nair

Ms Aswathy Kumar

Mrs Geetha Menon

TEAMthe kala

3

EDITOR T H E C H A N G E I S S U E

thoughts from the

Autumn is a season of change and this is the inspiration for this

issue of the Palm Leaf September brings the smell of new

unopened pages and school supplies Mother Nature concurs

with the Education Department the leaves start to fall and a chill

enters the air The fields are shorn of burgeoning harvest Itrsquos

time to sadly bid farewell to the heady lazy days of summer

However even though the nights are closing in there is an

excitement in the new experiences that await us - frosty country

walks mulled wine by the fire fireworks ndash and even excitement

in the new challenges that the changing season brings

Never has this autumnal change been more apt a metaphor for

me personally I look back wistfully at the carefree days that are

soon to be behind me a life that will be changing imminently

from ldquoyou and merdquo to ldquous threerdquo Of course there is unbelievable

excitement - lsquowhat will you look likersquo lsquowhatrsquos your favourite

song going to bersquo - but there is also the fear of change

Change by itrsquos very nature is never straightforward or easy

Globally the change in the last few years has been significant

Never in human history has there been such a fast pace of

transformation mainly driven by significant advancements in

technology With mobile phones now ubiquitous for both rich

and poor email Facebook and apps like Skype and Whatsapp

makes communication across continents ridiculously easy

compared to the monthly letters and the odd phone call from a

telephone booth that were the only form of contact my parents

had when we first came to England

The way we work has changed - we can outsource skills to

anywhere in the world and build businesses from our living

rooms Rather than waiting to be ldquodiscoveredrdquo individuals can

be proactive and build media careers on YouTube Facebook

and Twitter Services like Uber are already part of Indian life ndash in

Mumbai you can use your mobile to locate and hire the nearest

empty autorickshaw

As well as the changes due to technology there is major social

change happening in India that cannot be ignored

The case of lsquoNirbhayarsquo has forced India to look at the way it

treats its women In a country where female violence is

commonplace the case prompted a wave of major protests

across India However although there was unanimous

condemnation of the perpetrators the attitudes of the

defendantsrsquo lawyers (educated and supposedly cosmopolitan

men) shows us we still have a long way to go in changing

perceptions across the nation Indeed even amongst people

who consider themselves liberal and modern the attitude that

rape can sometimes be the victimrsquos fault - because of what she

was wearing or the time of day of the rape - is still prevalent

As India continues to ride on its economic wave our attitude as

citizens of India towards its problems must change Our

traditional personal views on issues of mass poverty womenrsquos

rights the caste system gay rights freedom of speech etc must

be challenged - no matter how uncomfortable it makes us - if we

hope to make the big changes our country needs

The Palm Leaf

Closer to home change has come to the Palm Leaf as we bid

goodbye to Professor Gopalakrishnan Netuveli as editor and

thank him for his tenure I hope to continue his excellent work

My vision for the Palm Leaf is twofold Firstly to increase the

number and variety of contributors to the Palm Leaf especially

amongst younger writers We must nurture and grow the in-

house talent we have as well as showcase contributions from

writers in Kerala and beyond

Secondly we should remember the mandate of KALA and

reflect this in the magazine Letrsquos use the Palm Leaf as a

medium to explore and discuss the culture and many art forms

of Kerala For many of us especially the youth KALA is a key if

not the only source to expose our rich heritage

Wersquove had great number of wonderful contributions from the

KALA family and beyond for the change issue A few highlights

that specifically address the theme of change include an

unpublished poem from the late poet Kamala Das detailing a

1994 stay in England with her cousin Indira Menon Manasi

Janadaran writes about the significant life change she

experienced when after many years of living in the UK she

moved back to Kerala with her family and started school in

Trivandrum Sethulekshmy Nair pens a fictional account of past

pain and new beginnings Neetu Nair our youth coordinator

writes a dark fictional account exploring mental illness We are

lucky to have secured a contribution from our President K

Natarajan where he reminisces on life changing personal

experience Three poems penned by Ulloor M Parameswaran

Sowmya Krishnan and Biju Balakrishnan and respectively

discuss the different aspects of change

We also have great contributions from our younger members

Thara Nairrsquos poem about Autumn perfectly expresses the

change of the season Rohan Nairrsquos short story addresses

youth poverty as does Nila Pillairsquos poem lsquoOblivionrsquo

Irsquod like to thank all the contributors and offer a special thanks to

the editorial team whorsquove worked so hard in sourcing articles

proofreading illustrating and giving me

great advice in order to bring this

issue together I hope you all

enjoy it

Sangeetha Venugopal

4

ofLIST CONTENTS

01KALA CHIEF GUEST 2015 pg 6ON THE CREST OF A WAVE SHWETA MENON

Santhosh Pillai

02KALA PURASKARAM WINNER pg 7CHOLLIYATTAM ON A GLOBAL STAGE DR ETTUMANOOR P KANNAN

Gopalakrishnan Netuveli

05TOWARDS A NEW DAWN pg 10

A short story by Sethulekshmy Nair

06A DAY IN THE LIFE OFhellip pg 12

A personal account by Manasi Janadaran

08FOR ARTrsquoS SAKE pg 13

An article by Anita Puliyankalath

09THERErsquoS NOTHING WRONG WITH ME pg 14

A short story by Neetu Nair

10LET GO pg 18

A poem by Sowmya Krishnan

11A CRUISE THROUGH HISTORY pg 19

A travelogue by P Ramachandran

12RUNNING THE MARATHON pg 21

A personal account by Rahul Krishnan

04THE PEOPLErsquoS PRESIDENT pg 9

A tribute by Geetha Menon

13അവിടടവ ം തവിട ം pg 23

A personal account by K Natarajan

03NO 11 GEORGIAN CLOSE pg 8

An unpublished poem by Kamala Das

16കടൽകടനനതതിയ കലയ ടട കഥ pg 27

A thought piece by Janaki Nair

17A CONVERSATION WITH AJITH PILLAI pg 29An interview by ldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

20TALES FROM THE KULASEKHARAM pg 35

A letter from GK Nampoothiri

21AUTUMN pg 38

A poem by Thara Nair

22TRENT THE TURKEY pg 39

A short story by Pranav Menon

24OBLIVIOUS pg 41

A poem by Nila Pillai

25RAGS TO RICHES pg 42

A short story by Rohan Nair

26KALEIDOSCOPE pg 45

A poem by Ananya Krishnan

27TOM AND MAYANK IN SOUTH AFRICA pg 46

A story by Siddie Pillai

19പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം pg 32

A biography by Anil Zain

23ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO CAPABILITY pg 40

A poem by Nandita V

18മാററം pg 31

A poem by Ulloor M Parameswaran

14വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦ pg 25

A poem by Biju Balakrishnan

15ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo pg 26

A short story by പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി 5

07THE CARTOON STRIP pg 12

THE WORLD THROUGH KUMBAKARNANrsquoS EYEShellipGeetha Menon

Shweta Menon is a symbol of the rejuvenation taking place in

contemporary Malayalam cinema Versatile in portraying strong

characters she has proven time and time again she is an actor

of substance as well as style KALA is delighted to have

Shweta as the chief guest at its 19th Annual Day celebrations

this year

Born in Calicut Shweta caught the attention of the media when

she competed in the Miss India contest in 1994 and finished

second runner up behind Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai

She split her time between modelling and acting for a few years

before making her mark in Malayalam cinema in several

critically acclaimed films Along the way she has twice won the

Kerala State award for the Best Actress

ldquoI am happy that I have won the awards for two very different

roles My first one for Ranjithrsquos Paleri Manickyam was for a

difficult complex woman called Cheeru who had no say over

her life while Maya in Salt Nrsquo Pepper is a contemporary woman

who is the mistress of her liferdquo Shweta said at the time

Salt Nrsquo Pepper a hit of 2011 saw Shwetarsquos stellar performance

as a character who is a dubbing artiste and foodie The movie

turned out to be the appetiser for a feast of films that followed

and rejuvenated the jaded palates of viewers of Malayalam

cinema Finally the industry had realised that actresses who

have crossed their teens can still carry a film on their own

Sarojini a character Shweta portrayed in the film Madhya

Venal was another of her performances that was noteworthy

She was in yet another award winner in P Balachandranrsquos

Ivan Megharoopan that won the Kerala State Film Award for

the second best film She played Maya Maheswari a nurse

who looks after the protagonist P Madhavan Nair in the movie

a character based on the life of poet P Kunhiraman Nair

Another noteworthy role was in Madhupalrsquos Ozhimuri in which

she played Kaliamma

In addition to acting in over 80 films so far Shweta is an

accomplished dancer She has also established herself as a

popular anchor of TV programmes She is married to

Sreevalsan Menon and they have a daughter Sabaina

SHWETA MENONon the crest of a wave

B Y S A N T H O S H P I L L A I

chief guest KALA annual 2015

6

All the worlds a stage

And all the men and women merely players

They have their exits and their entrances

And one man in his time plays many parts

-William Shakespeare As You Like It Act II Scene VII

When the Bard of Avon penned these words he would not have

imagined that it could be literally interpreted as a call for creative

fusion with cultural boundaries becoming fuzzy and media of

expressions getting mixed That is what the 2015 recipient of

Kalapuraskaram has achieved Dr Ettumanoor P Kannan whom

The Indian Express described as a dangerous mind melds the

kinesics of Kathakali with the poetry of Shakespearean tragedy

He does so without compromising the Bards words or the rules

of Kathakali

Shakespeare is not new to Kathakali in 1999 Australian

playwright-director David McRuvie and French actor- dancer

Annette Leday brought Kathakali King Lear to the Globe

Theatre Margi Madhu the first recipient of Kalapuraskaram

systematised Macbeth for Kathakali The tragedy of Macbeth

was Kannanrsquos choice when he first decided to adapt

Shakespeare to the idiom of Kathakali at Pennsylvania in 2001

It is no wonder too since among the four great Shakespearean

tragedies Macbeth is the one nearest to the elements of the

great Greek tragedies with the human struggle to outwit their

fate and it is also near to the Indian epics the source of many

great Kathakali stories where the pivotal agents are often

feminine A trained Clinical Psychologist Kannan may have

been drawn to Macbeth with its rich tapestry of psychodrama

His interest in the psychology of the characters may have

influenced his choice of Cholliyaattam over Kathakali as his

medium of expression

The only difference between Cholliyaattam and Kathakali is the

absence of costume and heavy makeup Kannan finds that to

the uninitiated the costume can be a distraction With that

distraction removed Kannan can explore and expose the mental

landscape of the Macbeths as they play out their tragic tale

When it was first staged the Macbeth Cholliyaattam Kannan

was accompanied on the stage by a female actor as Lady

Macbeth Then after a hiatus of 12 years he presented it to a

Keralan audience as a solo performance One result of going

solo is the sense of alienation from the characters that evolves

during the performance while at the same time increasing

preoccupation with the techniques In other words the performer

turns auteur and with that Kannan places his personal stamp on

this art form

Born in 1968 Kannan started his Kathakali training at the early

age of nine For the next 22 years he trained in Kalluvazhi

(Northern) style under great and celebrated masters like

Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharodi (disciple of Padmasree

Vazhenkata Kunchunair) Kalanilayam Mohankumar (disciple of

Guru Kalamandalam Kuttan) and Padmasree Mani Madhava

Chakyar Versatility of Kannan can be perceived in the multiple

personae he presents the Performer the Academician the

Lecturer and the Director In Kathakali Kannan shines in pacha

and kathi roles Perhaps Kannanrsquos uniqueness lies in his

treatment of Kathakali academically and translating it for the

foreign audience As a Director he is adept both in traditional

forms of Kathakali theatre as well as transcending it into post

modern theatre Beyond Kathakali Kannan conducts courses in

personality development incorporating aspects of Yoga and has

his own system called Joyous Internal Awareness and

Management for the success of younger generations

His talent received its first recognition when he was twelve and

won the first prize for Kathakali in the State Youth Festival He

went on to win it for the next three years also

Since then he has won many more awards

KALA is really proud to present this

versatile artist the 2015

Kalapuraskaram for his outstanding

and innovative contribution to

Cholliyattam

ETTUMANOOR P KANNANcholliyaattam on a global stage

B Y P R O F E S S O R G O P A L A K R I S H N A N N E T U V E L I

kala puraskaramwinner 2015

7

GEORGIAN CLOSEA P O E M B Y K A M A L A D A S

no 11

The world renowned Kamala Das who passed away in 2009 was a prolific and much admired Malayali author and poet known for her brave and forthright writing both in

Malayalam and in English She wrote this unpublished poem while staying with her cousin Indira and Sethu Menon (former KALA members) during a visit to England in 1994 on

invitation from Southbank Centre in London to read her poems at the International Poetry Festival

In sleepy Crawley

No11 Georgian Close was

the oasis where as a weary traveller

I paused to pitch my tent

Winter had arrived there

cat-treaded and had laid its paw

on the fish pond glazing its skin

and wilting the lilies one by one

The roses curled inwards then

as fists clenched in fear

and quite often the fog lingered long

over the red bricked neighbourhood

I was a total wreck

to say the very least

sailing so long on unchartered seas

confronting the turbulence of the swell

the sun had settled in my eyes

and a fatigue slumbered in my soul

Winter nuzzled the window panes

of No11 Georgian Close

but a perpetual summer dwelt within

cradling the strays the homesick ones

in unaccustomed warmth

Sethu and Indira were so adept at

putting their guest at ease

From the debris of emotional storms

from the rubble and the dust

hope rose again as sap must inevitably rise

within trees in the wake of a winter

however harsh and cold

Photo of the Menonsrsquo garden which inspired Kamala Dasrsquo poem

8

These were the wise and motivating words of Avul Pakir

Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam or APJ Abdul Kalam as he was

better known As Indiarsquos eleventh president Kalam ignited

minds and was popularly referred to as the lsquoPeoplersquos

Presidentrsquo Although never groomed for a political career it

was through sheer hard work and significant achievements

as a scientist that he was elected to the presidential post in

2002 unanimously and in a rare show of unity by the two

large parties in India

Abdul Kalam was the youngest of four brothers and one

sister He was born into a relatively poor Muslim Tamil

family ndash his father Jainulabudeen was a boat owner and the

imam of a small local mosque His mother Ashiamma was

a housewife Through hard work he won a scholarship to

study Aerospace Engineering at the Madras Institute of

Technology He worked at the Indian Space Research

Organisation (ISRO) where he was part of the team that

helped to deploy the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in

1980 Building on his scientific background Abdul Kalam

also served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime

Minister between 1992-1999

During his 5 year tenure as president Abdul Kalam

personified dignity and spread optimism during his travels

throughout India and abroad His stirring speeches at the

UN and the European Parliament are among the best ever

delivered His simplicity in oration and action were

applauded and endeared him to all those who listened

PRESIDENTthe peoplersquos

A T R I B U T E T O A B D U L K A L A M B Y G E E T H A M E N O N

Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than running after swift but synthetic happiness

9

1931 - 2015

On completing his single term as President he returned to a civilian life of education writing and public service devoting his

life to causes such as the nationrsquos poverty and continuing his passion as a scientist to promote Indiarsquos civilian space program

and pro-nuclear efforts He was the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Bharat Ratna Indias highest civilian

honour It was while he was delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong that Mr Kalam collapsed and

died from an apparent cardiac arrest on 27 July 2015 aged 83 The nation mourned the death of one of its finest ex-Presidents

and an exemplary civilian He was buried with full state honours at his hometown of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu

India never had a more beloved president and although his sudden passing left a nation bereaved it will long celebrate the life

of a man steeped in simplicity and the embodiment of the best that India can be KALA pays its respects to truly the peoplersquos

President

I do not know what time it is My husband Subu seems to

have fallen asleep or has he I can see only the top of his

head his hands crossed over the book he was reading with

the page facing down on his chest and his folded knees The

ranthal light is still burning He has a watch but I donrsquot want

to disturb him Why should I know the time There is no

reason I donrsquot think I will get a wink of sleep tonight The

swaying of this vallam should rock me to sleep in normal

circumstances but not tonight I am travelling to a world

unknown to me I donrsquot know what to expect tomorrow and I

am scared

This is my first long journey with my husband There was a

lot of objection from my amma and ammavan Behind their

backs my younger brother Kavunni was the only one who

was supportive Subursquos amma was not happy at all but she

knew that he being a modern man would do only what he

wanted You could say that Ilsquom eloping with my husband of

19 years The family thinks that I was going with him to

Ambalapuzha Parthasarathi Temple for a pooja The journey

started in a kettuvallam from our village Our horse cart will

be waiting for us in Kollam to take us all the way to

Thiruvananthapuram and finally I am going to live with him

This terrible pain has been twisting and crushing both inside

and outside of my being making me feel worthless for the

past 13 years - since the death of my little girl Devaki I was

so lucky to fall pregnant at the age of 14 five years after our

veli and a year after consummation of marriage She was so

beautiful so perfect

Chettan Pottirsquos antharjanam had not been able to conceive

after years of veli and she is desperate to bear a child for

the family They have to have a boy to continue the family

take over their vast property and to pass on the

responsibility of doing all lsquoafter deathrsquo rites for ancestors of

bygone ages Chechi antharjanam used to whisper in my ear

secretly that she did not mind having a girl or a boy I had

been showing off my belly to her - making her feel the life

inside me Have I been secretly taunting her

Being a second child Subu had the freedom of leaving

Vellimana to continue his education where as his older

brother had a bit more restriction to his lifestyle At the time

of our veli Subu having already passed the 4th standard

examination was a teacher in the Padayanar Kulangara

government primary school He could handle Malayalam

Tamil and Sanskrit well and was a voracious reader He

made me learn the languages and brought me lots of books

A couple of years after Devursquos death Subu left to join his

father who was a sub registrar in Vaikom and he passed his

English matriculation examination from Kottayam CMS

school Helsquos now working as a tutor in Maharajas College

Thiruvananthapuram after taking his BA degree from there I

wanted him to stay in the village with me but he could not

quench his thirst for further knowledge living in our small

village Or was it an escape from the deep sorrow of losing a

child

There was another ambition as well A dedicated teacher at

the age of 16 he was loved by his students Once a school

inspector came to the school for inspection unannounced

Subu was a bit late after thevaram The inspector asked a

student a question and the young teacher standing behind

the inspector could not help giving the little one a clue The

inspector said ldquoPotti you are not fit to be a teacher maybe

you are just good enough to be a temple priest Go and do

ambala santhirdquo He was so annoyed that he made a promise

to himself to become an inspector one day So that could be

another reason to get away from the village

He was lucky he could leave the village and go far away

from where it happened But I had to stay back facing the

monotonous life each day He wanted me to go with him but

that was not allowed by the Kshatriya or Namboothiri society

and their customs even though you were following your

husband ldquoCome with me Ambika you donrsquot have to feel

guiltyrdquo he said I was very young and having heard of no one

leaving home before was not bold enough to go against my

mother and uncle So my life went on around our temple a

ldquoThat was the worst day of my life

13 long years agohelliprdquo

DAWNA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y S E T H U L E K S H M Y N A I R

towards a new

Sethulekshmy is a retired gynaecologist In her spare time she is a keen writer and artist as well as a doting ammumma to Bodhi and Tulsi

10

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

handful of cousins and kitchen and reading books until now

I was very lonely Often I hold my barren and cursed belly

and cry in solitude Subu came to me whenever he could

but that was not very often or enough for me If only I had

another child

That was the worst day in my life 13 long years ago Devu

was only 1frac12 years old and came running to me saying that

she was hungry I was busy in the kitchen getting the lunch

ready with amma I said ldquoCome and have a drink of my

milkrdquo She moved my rouka away and suckled When she

was satisfied she covered me I put the wooden spoon

down gave her a quick cuddle and kiss and said ldquoOff you

go dear and play Once ammarsquos hands are free I will find

you and play with yourdquo

Rice was ready to be drained and then I heard someone

shouting ldquoambotti amma kunjurdquo It was from the pond

side and I rushed outside Devu had fallen into the pond

How did she get there I had no idea Velu who was on the

top of the coconut palm heard something falling into the

water He saw the cart he had made for her that morning on

the side of the pond By the time I came out he had dived

into the water and had lifted her limp body up I just stood

there helpless unable to move Kavunni had taken over and

tried to help her to breath My body and mind went still and I

was unaware of what followed Next thing I remember was

hearing Subursquos sorrowful voice saying ldquoAmbika our Devu

has left us forever a gift given to us only for a short time

Do you want to come and see herrdquo

He supported me to get up and walk There she was in the

nalukettu all wrapped up in white cloth looking ever so

peaceful and beautiful with a burning nilavilakku by her side

I fainted again

Devursquos little face flashes in my mind whenever I think of

another child After each of Subursquos visit I offer a thumba

flower garland to Lord Siva asking for his blessings for a

child but then a couple of weeks later my hope perishes

Lord Siva has had lots of garlands from me Prayers were

the only one thing I could do and hope kept me going Subu

wrote the first Malayalam vilapa kavyam after her death He

has read it to me so many times and together we cry

reading it The pain we feel is beyond any explanation

For the past one year Subu has been gently persuading me

to go and live with him in Thiruvananthapuram He says

there is a big hospital in Thycaud where womenrsquos problems

are taken care of The hospital is run by white nurses and

doctors from England I believe that they will check me over

and say if I can have a child Amma antharjanam has been

giving chechi antharjanam and me ayurveda medicines

straight from her back garden to make us conceive for years

now If Lord Siva and she canrsquot help how can these white

doctors It took a year for Subu to make me say yes Only

yesterday he told me what these people might do to me

There was no turning back then All travel arrangements

have been made secretly between Subu and Kavunni

I am totally scared My trust is in my loving husband and the

Lord I cannot sleep at all I closed my eyes tight and said to

myself ldquothis is what I would do tomorrow just see my Lord

in my inner mind and offer him

another thumba garlandrdquo I felt a

pair of hands touching my

shivering tiny body He held

my hands in his big warm hands

and whispered ldquoWelsquore going to

have children lots of them

Their tiny noises will fill the

walls of your kovilakam again

Do not give up hope Now get

some sleep before dawnrdquo It was

very comforting but I know that

both of us will not get any sleep

tonight He dimmed the ranthal

light and the vallam swayed to

the rhythm of waves may be

towards a fresh dawn in my life

11

M A N A S I J A N A D A R A N

Manasi is in Year 11 at Trivandrum International School After many years of living in the UK she moved back to Kerala with her parents three years ago

I wake up at around seven in the weekends to see the stunning

Aakulam Lake surrounded by a dense canopy of coconut palms

After staring at the picturesque view for a couple of minutes I

climb out of bed and get dressed before heading down to see

whatrsquos for breakfast

After the usual disappointment in finding out that breakfast is the

regular omelette and fried banana I go down to the pool

Though itrsquos the morning the water is still warm because of the

unbearable heat outside and I still have time to do a few laps

before the sun rises fully

After swimming Irsquom forced to sit down and study for an hour or

two with the inevitable breaks in between These sessions are

impossible to avoid given that every child even a ten year old

has to write exams every month

Lunch is as usual rice dahl and thoran Some people may find

this a wonderful combination but personally for me itrsquos just a little

repetitive After lunch I have to take a twenty minute drive

towards the city

Many might believe a car journey is a peaceful time to relax and

stare out at the beautiful scenery outside but not here Any

opportunity I get to let my thoughts wander is disrupted by the

constant blaring of horns Though the ride is short I still

encounter several near death experiences as a cause of

reckless driving before arriving at my destination

I spend the next few hours in the city with my friends Usually we

pass the time in a restaurant or a cafeacute (no bowling alleys or ice-

skating rings in Trivandrum) often chatting about the unbearable

heat or the new shopping mall that is supposedly being built

Dinner is often spent at my cousinsrsquo house I spend the night

running around playing football and waiting for the food to cook

(rice again) Finally when we all sit at the table and begin eating

the peaceful atmosphere is disrupted by a few screams as we

see a lizard darting under the table After a few rounds of

running around the table trying to catch it we settle down again

to finish the meal

Lying in bed I often think about how the day has been Though

my average day here is pretty crazy and filled with unpleasant

surprises it makes my life much more interesting Itrsquos almost too

easy to fall asleephellipuntil a storm hits and the monsoon rain is

lashes against the window making sleeping a little harder

in theDAY LIFEa ofhellip

12

THE WORLD THROUGH KUMBAKARNANrsquoS EYEShellip

STRIPhellipthe cartoon

BY GEETHA MENON

for

ARTrsquoS SAKEB Y A N I T A P U L I Y A N K A L A T H

Many of us from Kerala are exposed to the creative arts in

some form or the other But how many of us know about

mural wall painting ndash the transformation of an uninteresting

surface wall to an unforgettable artistic experience How

many of us have seen these wall paintings amp wondered at

their timeless beauty intricate design and rich vibrant

colours

For the uninitiated a traditional Kerala mural is a painting

mainly seen on the walls ceilings of temples and palaces

They depict mostly gods goddesses saints kings nature

and scenes from our epics and Indian mythology It is an

exquisite art form

Do we know how these are created In the traditional style

of mural painting only vegetable colours and natural

pigments are used These can all be sourced locally in

Kerala

The first step in mural art is the meticulous preparation of

the wall The wall is prepared with a rough plastering of lime

and sand mixed with the juice of kadukkai or chunnambvelli

dissolved with palm sugar A smooth plaster with ground

cotton is then applied After 10 days 25 to 30 coats of lime

and tender coconut water is applied till the thickness of the

coat is as thin as a tamarind leaf The mural is painted only

once the wall is completely dry

The five basic colours used in mural painting are yellow

ochre red sap green indigo blue and black The black

colour is made from soot taken from oil lamps A light yellow

colouring is used for sketching instead of pencil and the

piece is perfected with thin black lines The fine brushes

used are made from the delicate blades of arrow grass

lsquoEyyam Pullursquo found in the rural areas of Kerala

Only a skilled artist can work on them for hours and the

motifs are drawn from the lsquoDhyana Slokasrsquo verbal images of

the deities It is often believed that the artist has a divine

vision (lsquoDivya Dhirshtirsquo) which he transforms from his mindrsquos

eye to create a masterpiece using his deftly creative hands

Today one can see some of these exquisite murals in the

Shiva temple of Ettumanoor Guruvayoor temple near

Trichur Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Trivandrum

Churches at Cheppad Alappuzha the Ramayana Murals of

Mattancherry Palace and many more

However in present times in order to bring mural art closer

home many artists have used different materials like

plywood terracotta bamboo and canvass to paint murals

This enables ordinary people like us to appreciate its beauty

Commercial viability has made it possible for talented artists

to use acrylic colours on the Kerala saree shirts and

churidar tops to replicate some of the murals and today

many hotel lobbies and shopping malls are adorned with

beautiful artistic pieces of mural allowing the common man

to experience this sublime art form

So the next time you visit your hometown be sure to look out

for these gems of creation that will fill your soul with artistic

elation

Anita has a Masters Degree in Public Management University of Madras India and is married to Darshan a Marine Pilot They live in Kent and in her spare time she enjoys gardening music crosswords community development yoga and Aerobics

Mural by an artist Ms Geetha from Trivandrum

13

WRONG WITH ME

Age 18

ldquoWake up Greendale Itrsquos 6am Wake uprdquo

The shrill orders screeched at me from beyond my bedroom

door I remain still as if deaf to my wake up call Clutching

the thin salmon coloured covers I stretch my neck in an

attempt to relieve myself from the agonising pain of only

having one pillow to sleep on Slowly I force myself to open

my lazy eyes and stare intently at the grey walls All that is

left now is to listen to my roommate Lisa snore and mutter

to herself in her sleep Pushing myself up into a comfortable

seated position I allow my surroundings to embed

themselves on to my brain A cold room that is occupied by

two beds two sinks two desks and a few of Lisarsquos knitting

books I rest my back against the walls and close my eyes

It was easy to shut my eyes and get lost in the never-

ending pitted blackness that conquered my eyelids

Sometimes I never wanted to open them Itrsquos my escape A

world that I can actually call mine I wallow in what feels like

silky black sheets and envisage a world where I can run

freely with no inhibitions The black fades seamlessly into a

green field dotted with idyllic flowers My neurons create the

feeling of the soles of my feet grazing against the ground as

I pelt through the field feeling the pulse of wind on my

cheek Liberation I donrsquot ever want to open my eyes I want

to stay in this world where I can control every minute detail

to a tee I am physics Without mercy for my soulrsquos rest a

heavy hand clouts upon my unsuspecting shoulder and

opening my eyes I see Lisa her eyes fixated on me Her

blonde short curly hair dishevelled and her eyelashes

coated thick in sleep What appeared to be unkempt

appearance was merely insanity masking the true beauty

beneath

I watched Lisa rub her eyes and sluggishly put on her white

plimsolls Despite being undernourished her scrawny body

moved as if she had masses of weight to carry the burden

of her emotional angst bringing her down Lisa looked at me

as if to say lsquoget a move onrsquo Cracking a half-hearted smile I

stared at my own white plimsolls at the foot of my bed They

seemed so far away so unreachable With a struggle I

stretched across and reached out for them

ldquoGreendale patients It is 630am Breakfast is in 10

minutesrdquo

It was time to get ready for the day ahead My heart

plummeted into the pit of my stomach and a wave of nausea

threw its slurry northward I felt the weight of my head on my

shoulders and slowly but surely my eyes started to fill up

with salty tears This is my life

ldquoYou readyrdquo asked Lisa Nodding I followed her out of

Room 13

My name is Elizabeth Mary Margaret and I am a Greendale

Psychiatric Institute patient

mdashmdashmdash

Age 12

This is my story The story of how a normal girl ended up in

a psychiatric ward (normal being the operative word) It all

began when I was 12 a tender adolescent teenager facing

the usual trials and tribulations that came with the age I

always knew that I was different to the other girls Whilst

they worried about their bodies and boys I worried about the

darker things in life things that would make your skin crawl

Infatuated by the mind of a murderer the motives of a rapist

the depression of an alcoholic I would allow myself to

wander hopelessly in their shoes Some may call it intuition

a natural curiosity for the darker things unknown but from a

very young age I knew that mine was no innocent interest

but a cynical unforgiving obsession An obsessive need that

I possessed compounded with jealousy

On the 12th April 1994 my life started to take a downward

spiral into the pits of my own dark unimaginable thoughts It

was my 12th birthday and what started of with cake and

presents quickly turned ugly as I had an encounter with the

A S H O R T S T O R Y B Y N E E T U N A I R

there is nothing

Neetu is currently finishing her degree in English Language amp Communication from Oxford Brookes University She is a keen writer and hopes to work in Forensics where she can combine her love of investigating crimes with her passion for writing

14

neighbourrsquos cat As my mother entertained party guests I

slowly slipped to the back of my garden where I would often

retreat to watch a busy ant farm I had created I took care

and had meticulously planned how my ant farm was to look

After three weeks of hard work I had reached my goal

Tending to them everyday I worked up a sweat making sure

they were all okay and as today was my birthday I decided to

spend as much time with them as possible Squatting down

next to them I watched them work and as I slowly became

engrossed in studying their movements Misty the

neighbourrsquos tabby walked over them ruining all my hard

work I remember how I felt clearly a huge rush of heat

overcoming my body My cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tears I clenched my fists and watched Misty as she

graciously ruined my masterpiece without a care in the

world It was unforgivable and cruel and as my mother

coined it ldquobad behaviourrdquo

I glared at Misty at which point my feline foe was staring

right back at me She was relentless in my eyes and her

ldquobad behaviourrdquo meant she had to pay Glancing back at my

mum confirming her attention was not on me I quickly

swiped the cat and ran into my wendy house where I

slammed her to the ground and bludgeoned her with a rock

killing her for what she did to my ant farm

To my dismay my mother saw Mistyrsquos dead body laying

under my hat that evening as she was cleaning up after my

party From then on I was summoned to counselling

mdashmdashmdash

Age 13

A year later I was branching into dangerous territory and

felt no guilt for my actions I wanted to cease mankind be

the last woman standing I wanted to be alone in complete

isolation For the past year I had mutilated over twelve

animals and my counsellor had referred me to a doctor who

was assigned to ldquodiagnoserdquo me Nothing was wrong with me

mdashmdashmdash

Age 17

ldquoElizabeth would you come down hererdquo my mother called

up to my room

My mother Jeanette Jane Margaret was a woman of great

standards She believed in keeping up appearances and

was bitterly ashamed of me She would never take me out

for I was a disturbed child and on the rare occasion she did I

would always end up ldquomisbehavingrdquo Mother believed in old-

fashioned customs banning me to my room when I was

naughty was a regularity in this household She did not want

to ever believe that something was wrong with me she

called it a phase The last four years had been turmoil for I

had done things that nightmares were made of I had

bludgeoned animals pushed my sister down the stairs in

rage lit my motherrsquos favourite dress on fire and been

excluded from school

But nothing was wrong with me I was just different

Misunderstood ldquoYesrdquo I asked monotonously avoiding eye

contact

ldquoDr Keele called He is making a house callrdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo

ldquoOh for heavens sake Elizabethrdquo my mothers voice trembled

with frustration fused with sadness

Dr Keele made regular house calls each one intensifying my

confusion

ldquoWhyrdquo I pushed for an answer

ldquoElizabeth you are ruining this familyrdquo Her harsh words

violently pierced my heart I stared back at her into her soul

She was evil she did not understand me

ldquoRuining this family This picture perfect family Howrdquo I

said containing my anger

ldquoHow HOW You are really going to stand there and ask

me such stupid questions I have tried to be patient tried to

listen and guide you But you do wrong You wonrsquot learn

Hiding you in this house for the past five years was a

mistake You are not normal Elizabeth Itrsquos time for a

changerdquo

ldquoA change What sort of changerdquo

ldquoYou need help For as long as I can remember you have

ldquoMy cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tearshelliprdquo

15

been hurting those around you Family friendshellipanimalsrdquo

My motherrsquos words cut me like a knife a sharp pain took

over my body It was anger it was hot and ready to unleash

itrsquos fire breathing dragon to burn her for her insolence

Nothing was wrong with me

At that moment Dr Keele rang the doorbell He was a

dishevelled looking man whose outward unkempt

appearance was no reflection of his intelligent mind I had

respect for him and he was the only one who would talk to

me in a free manner holding no fear in his facial expression

As my mother set down a cup of tea for him he began to

speak

ldquoElizabeth you are looking wellrdquo

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I was drained My

hair was up in a messy ponytail my glasses slipping off the

bridge of my nose It was 4pm and I was still in my pyjamas

Dr Keele was obviously trying to ease the tension in the

room with cheap insincere flattery

For a moment time stood still It was silent and I could feel

motherrsquos eyes on me like a hawk watching its prey Dr Keele

sighed as he took a sip of his tea and as he placed the cup

onto the table he started to rub his temples Leaning

forward he gave a warm smile bearing all of his pearly

whites He stared at me Some would say that the silence

was unbearable and awkward but I basked in it It was a

time that I had to just be and even though I knew I was the

subject of scrutiny it felt peaceful that no one was talking to

me or rather at me My mind drifted off into its own world

I imagined myself sitting in a park alone There were no

other children with me I watched the swings move back and

forth bouncing off the winds power The sky was grey and

the flowers had all wilted It was heaven As I looked around

the park it seemed simply beautiful that such tranquillity was

so easily achieved I examined every corner of the park and

could not help but feel excitement at how perfect it was As I

looked to the playground I noticed that a foul loathsome

creature interrupted the ambience I had created It was a

rabbit Blasted animals I slowly made my way over to the

four-legged freak I could not fathom how people deemed

this ghastly looking thing as cute and with that I swung my

leg back and kicked it in the neck Music came in the form of

its neck breaking as I had injured it Good I sat there

smiling to myself and the power I had held over this pathetic

defenceless creature

Suddenly I felt my mind slip out of this stream of

consciousness I had indulged in I realised that I was sitting

in my living room opposite Dr Keele and mother and a good

five minutes had gone and it was completely silent This was

an abnormality and instantly I knew something was wrong

At once I snapped back into the room and found mother and

Dr Keele whispering together I hated whispering it was

rude and unmannerly Dr Keele noticed that I wasnrsquot day

dreaming anymore

ldquoAh Elizabeth I am glad to see yoursquore backrdquo

I winced I could tell he was lying he was a doctor and this

was a job He was not ldquogladrdquo to see I was back he was

being superfluous

ldquoI expect you are wondering why it has been so quiet for so

longrdquo Dr Keele asked full of hope

ldquoNordquo I monotonously responded

ldquoElizabeth you are special and you have the ability to be

moulded into a wonderful woman You know that your

mother has been having a lot of trouble with you over the

past couple of years with your behavioural problems and I

havenrsquot seemed to knuckle down on a diagnosis for this

conduct you embodyrdquo

16

ldquoThere is nothing wrong with merdquo

ldquoOf courserdquo Dr Keele attempted to console me ldquoThere is

indeed nothing wrong with you but as your doctor I need to

do what is best for you and your motherrdquo I did not like

where this was going

ldquoSo after speaking to a few doctors at the surgery I think it

would be beneficial for you to go to a special place for a few

months to really tackle this issuerdquo

Dr Keele coined the term ldquospecialrdquo as if I was 10 years old

and naiumlve enough to fall for his gentle tone when in fact it

was annoyingly patronising

ldquoGreendale Psychiatric Institute is a lovely place not far

from here It will help pull the reigns in on this problem

There is a room waiting for you and a roommate called Lisa

too You will have a blast and better yet you will be

happierrdquo

ldquoYou will be normal Lizrdquo my mother uttered

I will be normal I will be normal I will be normal No matter

how many times I replayed that word in my head it did not

make sense to me I was normal and it was demeaning of

my mother to use this mundane word as criteria she needed

my personality to hit It was demoralising and slowly I felt

the pain and anger in me boil to temperatures unknown

This woman had carried me for nine months essentially

brought me up and she had the nerve to stop treating me

like her child but rather some abnormal science project

She prodded at my feelings dissected my emotional hold on

life and burnt my will to live She did not understand me no

one did No one could gauge how difficult this was and how

burdened I felt

I will not go to Greendale I will not I will not I will not I was

determined

Unfortunately my determination was not enough Three

days later I was taken there kicking and screaming As the

taxi made its way down the path I caught sight of my

motherrsquos somewhat uplifted demeanour I could not distract

myself from the sense of relief that I had bestowed upon her

face It was heart-breaking that my mother my own flesh

and blood was so elated to see me go

mdashmdashmdash

Age 18

Present day Greendale

Breakfast was over and I traipsed back to my room Lisa

had a knitting lesson and I was lucky to be alone for an

hour I sat down on my bed causing the steel frame to

creak with agony I closed my eyes and felt my tears run

down my cheek I looked at myself in the mirror What I had

come to I was a beaten down run over person I was lost

and confused and my life had pushed me to boundaries I

did not know existed I could not do this anymore As I

reflected on my life I realised how little those around me

knew I felt no guilt for motherrsquos pain Keelersquos frustration and

for all the animals I tortured I guess this was Godrsquos way of

toying with me giving me less freedom than an animal The

four walls closed in on me and my body shook with fear I

needed to stop I needed to be free

Ripping a piece of paper out of my notebook I racked my

mind for words With a shaky hand I wrote

Mother

There was is nothing wrong with me

Elizabeth

Clasping the paper in my hand I carefully lay it on my

pillow I was ready for a change I was ready for a different

life where I did not need to deal with judging eyes and

whispering behind my back Slowly I stood on my chair and

looped my jogging bottoms round the curtain rail I tied it

around my neck feeling the waistline dig into it Smite me

almighty smiter

With that I closed my eyes and told myself I was ready

Stepping off I felt my lungs struggle I felt my legs kick

frantically I was panicking as life ebbed slowly from my

body I could have stopped it but I didnrsquot

For I needed change

17

LET GOhellipA P O E M B Y S O W M Y A K R I S H N A N

The flowers whispered a silent word

The hum in your ears was so unheard

The clouds too listened and shed a tear

The pain of separation is an intimate fear

The time of ever having to let go

The very moment when you try not to show

The emptiness your heart a bottomless pit

That spark in your eye no more seems lit

But the most painful part yet to come

They left you their faces still blossomed with fun

Just as much as you seemed shattered

To them it looked like it hardly mattered

Embracing each other they walked away

You grappled for a reason to make them stay

But then you saw you were alone in this

They didnrsquot seem to find anything amiss

You desired to see those smiling faces once more

Faces you used to see everyday at your door

Yoursquod held them so close once upon a time

But now ask yourself ldquoWere they ever really minerdquo

Its time to turn away too just leave them be

Maybe you saw a bond that they couldnrsquot see

A bond they didnrsquot mind breaking so

Yes theyrsquore not yours just let go

-SK

by Aswathy Kumar

Sowmya is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has recently moved to Chester to join her husband Prashant Menon who she married in December 2014 She has always enjoyed writing poetry and wishes she had more time to devote to it

18

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

PATRON

Dr PK Sukumaran Nair

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

President Mr K Natarajan

Secretary Dr Krishnan Baburaj

Treasurer Mr Sree Prakash Pillai

Convenor Mr Mony Kochu Pillai

Arts Secretary Mrs Deepa Pillai

Literary Coordinator Mrs Santha Krishnamurthy

Quill Editors Mrs Mini Mohan

Mrs Santha Krishnamurthy

Web amp Social Media Mr Prajeesh Padmakumar

Librarian Dr Jose Mathew

Audio amp Visual Dr Ravi Sekhar

Dr Jose Mathew

Mr Sunil Nair

Nadumuttam Coordinator Dr Vijayanand

Palm Leaf Editorial Board Professor G Netuveli

Dr K A H Mirza

Committee members Mrs Renu Radhakrishnan

YOUTH CO-ORDINATOR

Ms Neetu Nair

PALM LEAF EDITOR

Ms Sangeetha Venugopal

PALM LEAF EDITORIAL TEAM

Mrs Santha Krishnamurthy

Mrs Mini Mohan

Ms Sowmya Krishnan

Mrs Renu Radhakrishnan

Mrs Anita Puliyankalath

Mrs Nisha Nair

Mr Hrishi Marrar

Prof Gopalakrishnan Netuveli

PALM LEAF ILLUSTRATION TEAM

Mrs Sethulekshmy Nair

Ms Aswathy Kumar

Mrs Geetha Menon

TEAMthe kala

3

EDITOR T H E C H A N G E I S S U E

thoughts from the

Autumn is a season of change and this is the inspiration for this

issue of the Palm Leaf September brings the smell of new

unopened pages and school supplies Mother Nature concurs

with the Education Department the leaves start to fall and a chill

enters the air The fields are shorn of burgeoning harvest Itrsquos

time to sadly bid farewell to the heady lazy days of summer

However even though the nights are closing in there is an

excitement in the new experiences that await us - frosty country

walks mulled wine by the fire fireworks ndash and even excitement

in the new challenges that the changing season brings

Never has this autumnal change been more apt a metaphor for

me personally I look back wistfully at the carefree days that are

soon to be behind me a life that will be changing imminently

from ldquoyou and merdquo to ldquous threerdquo Of course there is unbelievable

excitement - lsquowhat will you look likersquo lsquowhatrsquos your favourite

song going to bersquo - but there is also the fear of change

Change by itrsquos very nature is never straightforward or easy

Globally the change in the last few years has been significant

Never in human history has there been such a fast pace of

transformation mainly driven by significant advancements in

technology With mobile phones now ubiquitous for both rich

and poor email Facebook and apps like Skype and Whatsapp

makes communication across continents ridiculously easy

compared to the monthly letters and the odd phone call from a

telephone booth that were the only form of contact my parents

had when we first came to England

The way we work has changed - we can outsource skills to

anywhere in the world and build businesses from our living

rooms Rather than waiting to be ldquodiscoveredrdquo individuals can

be proactive and build media careers on YouTube Facebook

and Twitter Services like Uber are already part of Indian life ndash in

Mumbai you can use your mobile to locate and hire the nearest

empty autorickshaw

As well as the changes due to technology there is major social

change happening in India that cannot be ignored

The case of lsquoNirbhayarsquo has forced India to look at the way it

treats its women In a country where female violence is

commonplace the case prompted a wave of major protests

across India However although there was unanimous

condemnation of the perpetrators the attitudes of the

defendantsrsquo lawyers (educated and supposedly cosmopolitan

men) shows us we still have a long way to go in changing

perceptions across the nation Indeed even amongst people

who consider themselves liberal and modern the attitude that

rape can sometimes be the victimrsquos fault - because of what she

was wearing or the time of day of the rape - is still prevalent

As India continues to ride on its economic wave our attitude as

citizens of India towards its problems must change Our

traditional personal views on issues of mass poverty womenrsquos

rights the caste system gay rights freedom of speech etc must

be challenged - no matter how uncomfortable it makes us - if we

hope to make the big changes our country needs

The Palm Leaf

Closer to home change has come to the Palm Leaf as we bid

goodbye to Professor Gopalakrishnan Netuveli as editor and

thank him for his tenure I hope to continue his excellent work

My vision for the Palm Leaf is twofold Firstly to increase the

number and variety of contributors to the Palm Leaf especially

amongst younger writers We must nurture and grow the in-

house talent we have as well as showcase contributions from

writers in Kerala and beyond

Secondly we should remember the mandate of KALA and

reflect this in the magazine Letrsquos use the Palm Leaf as a

medium to explore and discuss the culture and many art forms

of Kerala For many of us especially the youth KALA is a key if

not the only source to expose our rich heritage

Wersquove had great number of wonderful contributions from the

KALA family and beyond for the change issue A few highlights

that specifically address the theme of change include an

unpublished poem from the late poet Kamala Das detailing a

1994 stay in England with her cousin Indira Menon Manasi

Janadaran writes about the significant life change she

experienced when after many years of living in the UK she

moved back to Kerala with her family and started school in

Trivandrum Sethulekshmy Nair pens a fictional account of past

pain and new beginnings Neetu Nair our youth coordinator

writes a dark fictional account exploring mental illness We are

lucky to have secured a contribution from our President K

Natarajan where he reminisces on life changing personal

experience Three poems penned by Ulloor M Parameswaran

Sowmya Krishnan and Biju Balakrishnan and respectively

discuss the different aspects of change

We also have great contributions from our younger members

Thara Nairrsquos poem about Autumn perfectly expresses the

change of the season Rohan Nairrsquos short story addresses

youth poverty as does Nila Pillairsquos poem lsquoOblivionrsquo

Irsquod like to thank all the contributors and offer a special thanks to

the editorial team whorsquove worked so hard in sourcing articles

proofreading illustrating and giving me

great advice in order to bring this

issue together I hope you all

enjoy it

Sangeetha Venugopal

4

ofLIST CONTENTS

01KALA CHIEF GUEST 2015 pg 6ON THE CREST OF A WAVE SHWETA MENON

Santhosh Pillai

02KALA PURASKARAM WINNER pg 7CHOLLIYATTAM ON A GLOBAL STAGE DR ETTUMANOOR P KANNAN

Gopalakrishnan Netuveli

05TOWARDS A NEW DAWN pg 10

A short story by Sethulekshmy Nair

06A DAY IN THE LIFE OFhellip pg 12

A personal account by Manasi Janadaran

08FOR ARTrsquoS SAKE pg 13

An article by Anita Puliyankalath

09THERErsquoS NOTHING WRONG WITH ME pg 14

A short story by Neetu Nair

10LET GO pg 18

A poem by Sowmya Krishnan

11A CRUISE THROUGH HISTORY pg 19

A travelogue by P Ramachandran

12RUNNING THE MARATHON pg 21

A personal account by Rahul Krishnan

04THE PEOPLErsquoS PRESIDENT pg 9

A tribute by Geetha Menon

13അവിടടവ ം തവിട ം pg 23

A personal account by K Natarajan

03NO 11 GEORGIAN CLOSE pg 8

An unpublished poem by Kamala Das

16കടൽകടനനതതിയ കലയ ടട കഥ pg 27

A thought piece by Janaki Nair

17A CONVERSATION WITH AJITH PILLAI pg 29An interview by ldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

20TALES FROM THE KULASEKHARAM pg 35

A letter from GK Nampoothiri

21AUTUMN pg 38

A poem by Thara Nair

22TRENT THE TURKEY pg 39

A short story by Pranav Menon

24OBLIVIOUS pg 41

A poem by Nila Pillai

25RAGS TO RICHES pg 42

A short story by Rohan Nair

26KALEIDOSCOPE pg 45

A poem by Ananya Krishnan

27TOM AND MAYANK IN SOUTH AFRICA pg 46

A story by Siddie Pillai

19പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം pg 32

A biography by Anil Zain

23ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO CAPABILITY pg 40

A poem by Nandita V

18മാററം pg 31

A poem by Ulloor M Parameswaran

14വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦ pg 25

A poem by Biju Balakrishnan

15ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo pg 26

A short story by പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി 5

07THE CARTOON STRIP pg 12

THE WORLD THROUGH KUMBAKARNANrsquoS EYEShellipGeetha Menon

Shweta Menon is a symbol of the rejuvenation taking place in

contemporary Malayalam cinema Versatile in portraying strong

characters she has proven time and time again she is an actor

of substance as well as style KALA is delighted to have

Shweta as the chief guest at its 19th Annual Day celebrations

this year

Born in Calicut Shweta caught the attention of the media when

she competed in the Miss India contest in 1994 and finished

second runner up behind Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai

She split her time between modelling and acting for a few years

before making her mark in Malayalam cinema in several

critically acclaimed films Along the way she has twice won the

Kerala State award for the Best Actress

ldquoI am happy that I have won the awards for two very different

roles My first one for Ranjithrsquos Paleri Manickyam was for a

difficult complex woman called Cheeru who had no say over

her life while Maya in Salt Nrsquo Pepper is a contemporary woman

who is the mistress of her liferdquo Shweta said at the time

Salt Nrsquo Pepper a hit of 2011 saw Shwetarsquos stellar performance

as a character who is a dubbing artiste and foodie The movie

turned out to be the appetiser for a feast of films that followed

and rejuvenated the jaded palates of viewers of Malayalam

cinema Finally the industry had realised that actresses who

have crossed their teens can still carry a film on their own

Sarojini a character Shweta portrayed in the film Madhya

Venal was another of her performances that was noteworthy

She was in yet another award winner in P Balachandranrsquos

Ivan Megharoopan that won the Kerala State Film Award for

the second best film She played Maya Maheswari a nurse

who looks after the protagonist P Madhavan Nair in the movie

a character based on the life of poet P Kunhiraman Nair

Another noteworthy role was in Madhupalrsquos Ozhimuri in which

she played Kaliamma

In addition to acting in over 80 films so far Shweta is an

accomplished dancer She has also established herself as a

popular anchor of TV programmes She is married to

Sreevalsan Menon and they have a daughter Sabaina

SHWETA MENONon the crest of a wave

B Y S A N T H O S H P I L L A I

chief guest KALA annual 2015

6

All the worlds a stage

And all the men and women merely players

They have their exits and their entrances

And one man in his time plays many parts

-William Shakespeare As You Like It Act II Scene VII

When the Bard of Avon penned these words he would not have

imagined that it could be literally interpreted as a call for creative

fusion with cultural boundaries becoming fuzzy and media of

expressions getting mixed That is what the 2015 recipient of

Kalapuraskaram has achieved Dr Ettumanoor P Kannan whom

The Indian Express described as a dangerous mind melds the

kinesics of Kathakali with the poetry of Shakespearean tragedy

He does so without compromising the Bards words or the rules

of Kathakali

Shakespeare is not new to Kathakali in 1999 Australian

playwright-director David McRuvie and French actor- dancer

Annette Leday brought Kathakali King Lear to the Globe

Theatre Margi Madhu the first recipient of Kalapuraskaram

systematised Macbeth for Kathakali The tragedy of Macbeth

was Kannanrsquos choice when he first decided to adapt

Shakespeare to the idiom of Kathakali at Pennsylvania in 2001

It is no wonder too since among the four great Shakespearean

tragedies Macbeth is the one nearest to the elements of the

great Greek tragedies with the human struggle to outwit their

fate and it is also near to the Indian epics the source of many

great Kathakali stories where the pivotal agents are often

feminine A trained Clinical Psychologist Kannan may have

been drawn to Macbeth with its rich tapestry of psychodrama

His interest in the psychology of the characters may have

influenced his choice of Cholliyaattam over Kathakali as his

medium of expression

The only difference between Cholliyaattam and Kathakali is the

absence of costume and heavy makeup Kannan finds that to

the uninitiated the costume can be a distraction With that

distraction removed Kannan can explore and expose the mental

landscape of the Macbeths as they play out their tragic tale

When it was first staged the Macbeth Cholliyaattam Kannan

was accompanied on the stage by a female actor as Lady

Macbeth Then after a hiatus of 12 years he presented it to a

Keralan audience as a solo performance One result of going

solo is the sense of alienation from the characters that evolves

during the performance while at the same time increasing

preoccupation with the techniques In other words the performer

turns auteur and with that Kannan places his personal stamp on

this art form

Born in 1968 Kannan started his Kathakali training at the early

age of nine For the next 22 years he trained in Kalluvazhi

(Northern) style under great and celebrated masters like

Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharodi (disciple of Padmasree

Vazhenkata Kunchunair) Kalanilayam Mohankumar (disciple of

Guru Kalamandalam Kuttan) and Padmasree Mani Madhava

Chakyar Versatility of Kannan can be perceived in the multiple

personae he presents the Performer the Academician the

Lecturer and the Director In Kathakali Kannan shines in pacha

and kathi roles Perhaps Kannanrsquos uniqueness lies in his

treatment of Kathakali academically and translating it for the

foreign audience As a Director he is adept both in traditional

forms of Kathakali theatre as well as transcending it into post

modern theatre Beyond Kathakali Kannan conducts courses in

personality development incorporating aspects of Yoga and has

his own system called Joyous Internal Awareness and

Management for the success of younger generations

His talent received its first recognition when he was twelve and

won the first prize for Kathakali in the State Youth Festival He

went on to win it for the next three years also

Since then he has won many more awards

KALA is really proud to present this

versatile artist the 2015

Kalapuraskaram for his outstanding

and innovative contribution to

Cholliyattam

ETTUMANOOR P KANNANcholliyaattam on a global stage

B Y P R O F E S S O R G O P A L A K R I S H N A N N E T U V E L I

kala puraskaramwinner 2015

7

GEORGIAN CLOSEA P O E M B Y K A M A L A D A S

no 11

The world renowned Kamala Das who passed away in 2009 was a prolific and much admired Malayali author and poet known for her brave and forthright writing both in

Malayalam and in English She wrote this unpublished poem while staying with her cousin Indira and Sethu Menon (former KALA members) during a visit to England in 1994 on

invitation from Southbank Centre in London to read her poems at the International Poetry Festival

In sleepy Crawley

No11 Georgian Close was

the oasis where as a weary traveller

I paused to pitch my tent

Winter had arrived there

cat-treaded and had laid its paw

on the fish pond glazing its skin

and wilting the lilies one by one

The roses curled inwards then

as fists clenched in fear

and quite often the fog lingered long

over the red bricked neighbourhood

I was a total wreck

to say the very least

sailing so long on unchartered seas

confronting the turbulence of the swell

the sun had settled in my eyes

and a fatigue slumbered in my soul

Winter nuzzled the window panes

of No11 Georgian Close

but a perpetual summer dwelt within

cradling the strays the homesick ones

in unaccustomed warmth

Sethu and Indira were so adept at

putting their guest at ease

From the debris of emotional storms

from the rubble and the dust

hope rose again as sap must inevitably rise

within trees in the wake of a winter

however harsh and cold

Photo of the Menonsrsquo garden which inspired Kamala Dasrsquo poem

8

These were the wise and motivating words of Avul Pakir

Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam or APJ Abdul Kalam as he was

better known As Indiarsquos eleventh president Kalam ignited

minds and was popularly referred to as the lsquoPeoplersquos

Presidentrsquo Although never groomed for a political career it

was through sheer hard work and significant achievements

as a scientist that he was elected to the presidential post in

2002 unanimously and in a rare show of unity by the two

large parties in India

Abdul Kalam was the youngest of four brothers and one

sister He was born into a relatively poor Muslim Tamil

family ndash his father Jainulabudeen was a boat owner and the

imam of a small local mosque His mother Ashiamma was

a housewife Through hard work he won a scholarship to

study Aerospace Engineering at the Madras Institute of

Technology He worked at the Indian Space Research

Organisation (ISRO) where he was part of the team that

helped to deploy the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in

1980 Building on his scientific background Abdul Kalam

also served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime

Minister between 1992-1999

During his 5 year tenure as president Abdul Kalam

personified dignity and spread optimism during his travels

throughout India and abroad His stirring speeches at the

UN and the European Parliament are among the best ever

delivered His simplicity in oration and action were

applauded and endeared him to all those who listened

PRESIDENTthe peoplersquos

A T R I B U T E T O A B D U L K A L A M B Y G E E T H A M E N O N

Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than running after swift but synthetic happiness

9

1931 - 2015

On completing his single term as President he returned to a civilian life of education writing and public service devoting his

life to causes such as the nationrsquos poverty and continuing his passion as a scientist to promote Indiarsquos civilian space program

and pro-nuclear efforts He was the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Bharat Ratna Indias highest civilian

honour It was while he was delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong that Mr Kalam collapsed and

died from an apparent cardiac arrest on 27 July 2015 aged 83 The nation mourned the death of one of its finest ex-Presidents

and an exemplary civilian He was buried with full state honours at his hometown of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu

India never had a more beloved president and although his sudden passing left a nation bereaved it will long celebrate the life

of a man steeped in simplicity and the embodiment of the best that India can be KALA pays its respects to truly the peoplersquos

President

I do not know what time it is My husband Subu seems to

have fallen asleep or has he I can see only the top of his

head his hands crossed over the book he was reading with

the page facing down on his chest and his folded knees The

ranthal light is still burning He has a watch but I donrsquot want

to disturb him Why should I know the time There is no

reason I donrsquot think I will get a wink of sleep tonight The

swaying of this vallam should rock me to sleep in normal

circumstances but not tonight I am travelling to a world

unknown to me I donrsquot know what to expect tomorrow and I

am scared

This is my first long journey with my husband There was a

lot of objection from my amma and ammavan Behind their

backs my younger brother Kavunni was the only one who

was supportive Subursquos amma was not happy at all but she

knew that he being a modern man would do only what he

wanted You could say that Ilsquom eloping with my husband of

19 years The family thinks that I was going with him to

Ambalapuzha Parthasarathi Temple for a pooja The journey

started in a kettuvallam from our village Our horse cart will

be waiting for us in Kollam to take us all the way to

Thiruvananthapuram and finally I am going to live with him

This terrible pain has been twisting and crushing both inside

and outside of my being making me feel worthless for the

past 13 years - since the death of my little girl Devaki I was

so lucky to fall pregnant at the age of 14 five years after our

veli and a year after consummation of marriage She was so

beautiful so perfect

Chettan Pottirsquos antharjanam had not been able to conceive

after years of veli and she is desperate to bear a child for

the family They have to have a boy to continue the family

take over their vast property and to pass on the

responsibility of doing all lsquoafter deathrsquo rites for ancestors of

bygone ages Chechi antharjanam used to whisper in my ear

secretly that she did not mind having a girl or a boy I had

been showing off my belly to her - making her feel the life

inside me Have I been secretly taunting her

Being a second child Subu had the freedom of leaving

Vellimana to continue his education where as his older

brother had a bit more restriction to his lifestyle At the time

of our veli Subu having already passed the 4th standard

examination was a teacher in the Padayanar Kulangara

government primary school He could handle Malayalam

Tamil and Sanskrit well and was a voracious reader He

made me learn the languages and brought me lots of books

A couple of years after Devursquos death Subu left to join his

father who was a sub registrar in Vaikom and he passed his

English matriculation examination from Kottayam CMS

school Helsquos now working as a tutor in Maharajas College

Thiruvananthapuram after taking his BA degree from there I

wanted him to stay in the village with me but he could not

quench his thirst for further knowledge living in our small

village Or was it an escape from the deep sorrow of losing a

child

There was another ambition as well A dedicated teacher at

the age of 16 he was loved by his students Once a school

inspector came to the school for inspection unannounced

Subu was a bit late after thevaram The inspector asked a

student a question and the young teacher standing behind

the inspector could not help giving the little one a clue The

inspector said ldquoPotti you are not fit to be a teacher maybe

you are just good enough to be a temple priest Go and do

ambala santhirdquo He was so annoyed that he made a promise

to himself to become an inspector one day So that could be

another reason to get away from the village

He was lucky he could leave the village and go far away

from where it happened But I had to stay back facing the

monotonous life each day He wanted me to go with him but

that was not allowed by the Kshatriya or Namboothiri society

and their customs even though you were following your

husband ldquoCome with me Ambika you donrsquot have to feel

guiltyrdquo he said I was very young and having heard of no one

leaving home before was not bold enough to go against my

mother and uncle So my life went on around our temple a

ldquoThat was the worst day of my life

13 long years agohelliprdquo

DAWNA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y S E T H U L E K S H M Y N A I R

towards a new

Sethulekshmy is a retired gynaecologist In her spare time she is a keen writer and artist as well as a doting ammumma to Bodhi and Tulsi

10

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

handful of cousins and kitchen and reading books until now

I was very lonely Often I hold my barren and cursed belly

and cry in solitude Subu came to me whenever he could

but that was not very often or enough for me If only I had

another child

That was the worst day in my life 13 long years ago Devu

was only 1frac12 years old and came running to me saying that

she was hungry I was busy in the kitchen getting the lunch

ready with amma I said ldquoCome and have a drink of my

milkrdquo She moved my rouka away and suckled When she

was satisfied she covered me I put the wooden spoon

down gave her a quick cuddle and kiss and said ldquoOff you

go dear and play Once ammarsquos hands are free I will find

you and play with yourdquo

Rice was ready to be drained and then I heard someone

shouting ldquoambotti amma kunjurdquo It was from the pond

side and I rushed outside Devu had fallen into the pond

How did she get there I had no idea Velu who was on the

top of the coconut palm heard something falling into the

water He saw the cart he had made for her that morning on

the side of the pond By the time I came out he had dived

into the water and had lifted her limp body up I just stood

there helpless unable to move Kavunni had taken over and

tried to help her to breath My body and mind went still and I

was unaware of what followed Next thing I remember was

hearing Subursquos sorrowful voice saying ldquoAmbika our Devu

has left us forever a gift given to us only for a short time

Do you want to come and see herrdquo

He supported me to get up and walk There she was in the

nalukettu all wrapped up in white cloth looking ever so

peaceful and beautiful with a burning nilavilakku by her side

I fainted again

Devursquos little face flashes in my mind whenever I think of

another child After each of Subursquos visit I offer a thumba

flower garland to Lord Siva asking for his blessings for a

child but then a couple of weeks later my hope perishes

Lord Siva has had lots of garlands from me Prayers were

the only one thing I could do and hope kept me going Subu

wrote the first Malayalam vilapa kavyam after her death He

has read it to me so many times and together we cry

reading it The pain we feel is beyond any explanation

For the past one year Subu has been gently persuading me

to go and live with him in Thiruvananthapuram He says

there is a big hospital in Thycaud where womenrsquos problems

are taken care of The hospital is run by white nurses and

doctors from England I believe that they will check me over

and say if I can have a child Amma antharjanam has been

giving chechi antharjanam and me ayurveda medicines

straight from her back garden to make us conceive for years

now If Lord Siva and she canrsquot help how can these white

doctors It took a year for Subu to make me say yes Only

yesterday he told me what these people might do to me

There was no turning back then All travel arrangements

have been made secretly between Subu and Kavunni

I am totally scared My trust is in my loving husband and the

Lord I cannot sleep at all I closed my eyes tight and said to

myself ldquothis is what I would do tomorrow just see my Lord

in my inner mind and offer him

another thumba garlandrdquo I felt a

pair of hands touching my

shivering tiny body He held

my hands in his big warm hands

and whispered ldquoWelsquore going to

have children lots of them

Their tiny noises will fill the

walls of your kovilakam again

Do not give up hope Now get

some sleep before dawnrdquo It was

very comforting but I know that

both of us will not get any sleep

tonight He dimmed the ranthal

light and the vallam swayed to

the rhythm of waves may be

towards a fresh dawn in my life

11

M A N A S I J A N A D A R A N

Manasi is in Year 11 at Trivandrum International School After many years of living in the UK she moved back to Kerala with her parents three years ago

I wake up at around seven in the weekends to see the stunning

Aakulam Lake surrounded by a dense canopy of coconut palms

After staring at the picturesque view for a couple of minutes I

climb out of bed and get dressed before heading down to see

whatrsquos for breakfast

After the usual disappointment in finding out that breakfast is the

regular omelette and fried banana I go down to the pool

Though itrsquos the morning the water is still warm because of the

unbearable heat outside and I still have time to do a few laps

before the sun rises fully

After swimming Irsquom forced to sit down and study for an hour or

two with the inevitable breaks in between These sessions are

impossible to avoid given that every child even a ten year old

has to write exams every month

Lunch is as usual rice dahl and thoran Some people may find

this a wonderful combination but personally for me itrsquos just a little

repetitive After lunch I have to take a twenty minute drive

towards the city

Many might believe a car journey is a peaceful time to relax and

stare out at the beautiful scenery outside but not here Any

opportunity I get to let my thoughts wander is disrupted by the

constant blaring of horns Though the ride is short I still

encounter several near death experiences as a cause of

reckless driving before arriving at my destination

I spend the next few hours in the city with my friends Usually we

pass the time in a restaurant or a cafeacute (no bowling alleys or ice-

skating rings in Trivandrum) often chatting about the unbearable

heat or the new shopping mall that is supposedly being built

Dinner is often spent at my cousinsrsquo house I spend the night

running around playing football and waiting for the food to cook

(rice again) Finally when we all sit at the table and begin eating

the peaceful atmosphere is disrupted by a few screams as we

see a lizard darting under the table After a few rounds of

running around the table trying to catch it we settle down again

to finish the meal

Lying in bed I often think about how the day has been Though

my average day here is pretty crazy and filled with unpleasant

surprises it makes my life much more interesting Itrsquos almost too

easy to fall asleephellipuntil a storm hits and the monsoon rain is

lashes against the window making sleeping a little harder

in theDAY LIFEa ofhellip

12

THE WORLD THROUGH KUMBAKARNANrsquoS EYEShellip

STRIPhellipthe cartoon

BY GEETHA MENON

for

ARTrsquoS SAKEB Y A N I T A P U L I Y A N K A L A T H

Many of us from Kerala are exposed to the creative arts in

some form or the other But how many of us know about

mural wall painting ndash the transformation of an uninteresting

surface wall to an unforgettable artistic experience How

many of us have seen these wall paintings amp wondered at

their timeless beauty intricate design and rich vibrant

colours

For the uninitiated a traditional Kerala mural is a painting

mainly seen on the walls ceilings of temples and palaces

They depict mostly gods goddesses saints kings nature

and scenes from our epics and Indian mythology It is an

exquisite art form

Do we know how these are created In the traditional style

of mural painting only vegetable colours and natural

pigments are used These can all be sourced locally in

Kerala

The first step in mural art is the meticulous preparation of

the wall The wall is prepared with a rough plastering of lime

and sand mixed with the juice of kadukkai or chunnambvelli

dissolved with palm sugar A smooth plaster with ground

cotton is then applied After 10 days 25 to 30 coats of lime

and tender coconut water is applied till the thickness of the

coat is as thin as a tamarind leaf The mural is painted only

once the wall is completely dry

The five basic colours used in mural painting are yellow

ochre red sap green indigo blue and black The black

colour is made from soot taken from oil lamps A light yellow

colouring is used for sketching instead of pencil and the

piece is perfected with thin black lines The fine brushes

used are made from the delicate blades of arrow grass

lsquoEyyam Pullursquo found in the rural areas of Kerala

Only a skilled artist can work on them for hours and the

motifs are drawn from the lsquoDhyana Slokasrsquo verbal images of

the deities It is often believed that the artist has a divine

vision (lsquoDivya Dhirshtirsquo) which he transforms from his mindrsquos

eye to create a masterpiece using his deftly creative hands

Today one can see some of these exquisite murals in the

Shiva temple of Ettumanoor Guruvayoor temple near

Trichur Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Trivandrum

Churches at Cheppad Alappuzha the Ramayana Murals of

Mattancherry Palace and many more

However in present times in order to bring mural art closer

home many artists have used different materials like

plywood terracotta bamboo and canvass to paint murals

This enables ordinary people like us to appreciate its beauty

Commercial viability has made it possible for talented artists

to use acrylic colours on the Kerala saree shirts and

churidar tops to replicate some of the murals and today

many hotel lobbies and shopping malls are adorned with

beautiful artistic pieces of mural allowing the common man

to experience this sublime art form

So the next time you visit your hometown be sure to look out

for these gems of creation that will fill your soul with artistic

elation

Anita has a Masters Degree in Public Management University of Madras India and is married to Darshan a Marine Pilot They live in Kent and in her spare time she enjoys gardening music crosswords community development yoga and Aerobics

Mural by an artist Ms Geetha from Trivandrum

13

WRONG WITH ME

Age 18

ldquoWake up Greendale Itrsquos 6am Wake uprdquo

The shrill orders screeched at me from beyond my bedroom

door I remain still as if deaf to my wake up call Clutching

the thin salmon coloured covers I stretch my neck in an

attempt to relieve myself from the agonising pain of only

having one pillow to sleep on Slowly I force myself to open

my lazy eyes and stare intently at the grey walls All that is

left now is to listen to my roommate Lisa snore and mutter

to herself in her sleep Pushing myself up into a comfortable

seated position I allow my surroundings to embed

themselves on to my brain A cold room that is occupied by

two beds two sinks two desks and a few of Lisarsquos knitting

books I rest my back against the walls and close my eyes

It was easy to shut my eyes and get lost in the never-

ending pitted blackness that conquered my eyelids

Sometimes I never wanted to open them Itrsquos my escape A

world that I can actually call mine I wallow in what feels like

silky black sheets and envisage a world where I can run

freely with no inhibitions The black fades seamlessly into a

green field dotted with idyllic flowers My neurons create the

feeling of the soles of my feet grazing against the ground as

I pelt through the field feeling the pulse of wind on my

cheek Liberation I donrsquot ever want to open my eyes I want

to stay in this world where I can control every minute detail

to a tee I am physics Without mercy for my soulrsquos rest a

heavy hand clouts upon my unsuspecting shoulder and

opening my eyes I see Lisa her eyes fixated on me Her

blonde short curly hair dishevelled and her eyelashes

coated thick in sleep What appeared to be unkempt

appearance was merely insanity masking the true beauty

beneath

I watched Lisa rub her eyes and sluggishly put on her white

plimsolls Despite being undernourished her scrawny body

moved as if she had masses of weight to carry the burden

of her emotional angst bringing her down Lisa looked at me

as if to say lsquoget a move onrsquo Cracking a half-hearted smile I

stared at my own white plimsolls at the foot of my bed They

seemed so far away so unreachable With a struggle I

stretched across and reached out for them

ldquoGreendale patients It is 630am Breakfast is in 10

minutesrdquo

It was time to get ready for the day ahead My heart

plummeted into the pit of my stomach and a wave of nausea

threw its slurry northward I felt the weight of my head on my

shoulders and slowly but surely my eyes started to fill up

with salty tears This is my life

ldquoYou readyrdquo asked Lisa Nodding I followed her out of

Room 13

My name is Elizabeth Mary Margaret and I am a Greendale

Psychiatric Institute patient

mdashmdashmdash

Age 12

This is my story The story of how a normal girl ended up in

a psychiatric ward (normal being the operative word) It all

began when I was 12 a tender adolescent teenager facing

the usual trials and tribulations that came with the age I

always knew that I was different to the other girls Whilst

they worried about their bodies and boys I worried about the

darker things in life things that would make your skin crawl

Infatuated by the mind of a murderer the motives of a rapist

the depression of an alcoholic I would allow myself to

wander hopelessly in their shoes Some may call it intuition

a natural curiosity for the darker things unknown but from a

very young age I knew that mine was no innocent interest

but a cynical unforgiving obsession An obsessive need that

I possessed compounded with jealousy

On the 12th April 1994 my life started to take a downward

spiral into the pits of my own dark unimaginable thoughts It

was my 12th birthday and what started of with cake and

presents quickly turned ugly as I had an encounter with the

A S H O R T S T O R Y B Y N E E T U N A I R

there is nothing

Neetu is currently finishing her degree in English Language amp Communication from Oxford Brookes University She is a keen writer and hopes to work in Forensics where she can combine her love of investigating crimes with her passion for writing

14

neighbourrsquos cat As my mother entertained party guests I

slowly slipped to the back of my garden where I would often

retreat to watch a busy ant farm I had created I took care

and had meticulously planned how my ant farm was to look

After three weeks of hard work I had reached my goal

Tending to them everyday I worked up a sweat making sure

they were all okay and as today was my birthday I decided to

spend as much time with them as possible Squatting down

next to them I watched them work and as I slowly became

engrossed in studying their movements Misty the

neighbourrsquos tabby walked over them ruining all my hard

work I remember how I felt clearly a huge rush of heat

overcoming my body My cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tears I clenched my fists and watched Misty as she

graciously ruined my masterpiece without a care in the

world It was unforgivable and cruel and as my mother

coined it ldquobad behaviourrdquo

I glared at Misty at which point my feline foe was staring

right back at me She was relentless in my eyes and her

ldquobad behaviourrdquo meant she had to pay Glancing back at my

mum confirming her attention was not on me I quickly

swiped the cat and ran into my wendy house where I

slammed her to the ground and bludgeoned her with a rock

killing her for what she did to my ant farm

To my dismay my mother saw Mistyrsquos dead body laying

under my hat that evening as she was cleaning up after my

party From then on I was summoned to counselling

mdashmdashmdash

Age 13

A year later I was branching into dangerous territory and

felt no guilt for my actions I wanted to cease mankind be

the last woman standing I wanted to be alone in complete

isolation For the past year I had mutilated over twelve

animals and my counsellor had referred me to a doctor who

was assigned to ldquodiagnoserdquo me Nothing was wrong with me

mdashmdashmdash

Age 17

ldquoElizabeth would you come down hererdquo my mother called

up to my room

My mother Jeanette Jane Margaret was a woman of great

standards She believed in keeping up appearances and

was bitterly ashamed of me She would never take me out

for I was a disturbed child and on the rare occasion she did I

would always end up ldquomisbehavingrdquo Mother believed in old-

fashioned customs banning me to my room when I was

naughty was a regularity in this household She did not want

to ever believe that something was wrong with me she

called it a phase The last four years had been turmoil for I

had done things that nightmares were made of I had

bludgeoned animals pushed my sister down the stairs in

rage lit my motherrsquos favourite dress on fire and been

excluded from school

But nothing was wrong with me I was just different

Misunderstood ldquoYesrdquo I asked monotonously avoiding eye

contact

ldquoDr Keele called He is making a house callrdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo

ldquoOh for heavens sake Elizabethrdquo my mothers voice trembled

with frustration fused with sadness

Dr Keele made regular house calls each one intensifying my

confusion

ldquoWhyrdquo I pushed for an answer

ldquoElizabeth you are ruining this familyrdquo Her harsh words

violently pierced my heart I stared back at her into her soul

She was evil she did not understand me

ldquoRuining this family This picture perfect family Howrdquo I

said containing my anger

ldquoHow HOW You are really going to stand there and ask

me such stupid questions I have tried to be patient tried to

listen and guide you But you do wrong You wonrsquot learn

Hiding you in this house for the past five years was a

mistake You are not normal Elizabeth Itrsquos time for a

changerdquo

ldquoA change What sort of changerdquo

ldquoYou need help For as long as I can remember you have

ldquoMy cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tearshelliprdquo

15

been hurting those around you Family friendshellipanimalsrdquo

My motherrsquos words cut me like a knife a sharp pain took

over my body It was anger it was hot and ready to unleash

itrsquos fire breathing dragon to burn her for her insolence

Nothing was wrong with me

At that moment Dr Keele rang the doorbell He was a

dishevelled looking man whose outward unkempt

appearance was no reflection of his intelligent mind I had

respect for him and he was the only one who would talk to

me in a free manner holding no fear in his facial expression

As my mother set down a cup of tea for him he began to

speak

ldquoElizabeth you are looking wellrdquo

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I was drained My

hair was up in a messy ponytail my glasses slipping off the

bridge of my nose It was 4pm and I was still in my pyjamas

Dr Keele was obviously trying to ease the tension in the

room with cheap insincere flattery

For a moment time stood still It was silent and I could feel

motherrsquos eyes on me like a hawk watching its prey Dr Keele

sighed as he took a sip of his tea and as he placed the cup

onto the table he started to rub his temples Leaning

forward he gave a warm smile bearing all of his pearly

whites He stared at me Some would say that the silence

was unbearable and awkward but I basked in it It was a

time that I had to just be and even though I knew I was the

subject of scrutiny it felt peaceful that no one was talking to

me or rather at me My mind drifted off into its own world

I imagined myself sitting in a park alone There were no

other children with me I watched the swings move back and

forth bouncing off the winds power The sky was grey and

the flowers had all wilted It was heaven As I looked around

the park it seemed simply beautiful that such tranquillity was

so easily achieved I examined every corner of the park and

could not help but feel excitement at how perfect it was As I

looked to the playground I noticed that a foul loathsome

creature interrupted the ambience I had created It was a

rabbit Blasted animals I slowly made my way over to the

four-legged freak I could not fathom how people deemed

this ghastly looking thing as cute and with that I swung my

leg back and kicked it in the neck Music came in the form of

its neck breaking as I had injured it Good I sat there

smiling to myself and the power I had held over this pathetic

defenceless creature

Suddenly I felt my mind slip out of this stream of

consciousness I had indulged in I realised that I was sitting

in my living room opposite Dr Keele and mother and a good

five minutes had gone and it was completely silent This was

an abnormality and instantly I knew something was wrong

At once I snapped back into the room and found mother and

Dr Keele whispering together I hated whispering it was

rude and unmannerly Dr Keele noticed that I wasnrsquot day

dreaming anymore

ldquoAh Elizabeth I am glad to see yoursquore backrdquo

I winced I could tell he was lying he was a doctor and this

was a job He was not ldquogladrdquo to see I was back he was

being superfluous

ldquoI expect you are wondering why it has been so quiet for so

longrdquo Dr Keele asked full of hope

ldquoNordquo I monotonously responded

ldquoElizabeth you are special and you have the ability to be

moulded into a wonderful woman You know that your

mother has been having a lot of trouble with you over the

past couple of years with your behavioural problems and I

havenrsquot seemed to knuckle down on a diagnosis for this

conduct you embodyrdquo

16

ldquoThere is nothing wrong with merdquo

ldquoOf courserdquo Dr Keele attempted to console me ldquoThere is

indeed nothing wrong with you but as your doctor I need to

do what is best for you and your motherrdquo I did not like

where this was going

ldquoSo after speaking to a few doctors at the surgery I think it

would be beneficial for you to go to a special place for a few

months to really tackle this issuerdquo

Dr Keele coined the term ldquospecialrdquo as if I was 10 years old

and naiumlve enough to fall for his gentle tone when in fact it

was annoyingly patronising

ldquoGreendale Psychiatric Institute is a lovely place not far

from here It will help pull the reigns in on this problem

There is a room waiting for you and a roommate called Lisa

too You will have a blast and better yet you will be

happierrdquo

ldquoYou will be normal Lizrdquo my mother uttered

I will be normal I will be normal I will be normal No matter

how many times I replayed that word in my head it did not

make sense to me I was normal and it was demeaning of

my mother to use this mundane word as criteria she needed

my personality to hit It was demoralising and slowly I felt

the pain and anger in me boil to temperatures unknown

This woman had carried me for nine months essentially

brought me up and she had the nerve to stop treating me

like her child but rather some abnormal science project

She prodded at my feelings dissected my emotional hold on

life and burnt my will to live She did not understand me no

one did No one could gauge how difficult this was and how

burdened I felt

I will not go to Greendale I will not I will not I will not I was

determined

Unfortunately my determination was not enough Three

days later I was taken there kicking and screaming As the

taxi made its way down the path I caught sight of my

motherrsquos somewhat uplifted demeanour I could not distract

myself from the sense of relief that I had bestowed upon her

face It was heart-breaking that my mother my own flesh

and blood was so elated to see me go

mdashmdashmdash

Age 18

Present day Greendale

Breakfast was over and I traipsed back to my room Lisa

had a knitting lesson and I was lucky to be alone for an

hour I sat down on my bed causing the steel frame to

creak with agony I closed my eyes and felt my tears run

down my cheek I looked at myself in the mirror What I had

come to I was a beaten down run over person I was lost

and confused and my life had pushed me to boundaries I

did not know existed I could not do this anymore As I

reflected on my life I realised how little those around me

knew I felt no guilt for motherrsquos pain Keelersquos frustration and

for all the animals I tortured I guess this was Godrsquos way of

toying with me giving me less freedom than an animal The

four walls closed in on me and my body shook with fear I

needed to stop I needed to be free

Ripping a piece of paper out of my notebook I racked my

mind for words With a shaky hand I wrote

Mother

There was is nothing wrong with me

Elizabeth

Clasping the paper in my hand I carefully lay it on my

pillow I was ready for a change I was ready for a different

life where I did not need to deal with judging eyes and

whispering behind my back Slowly I stood on my chair and

looped my jogging bottoms round the curtain rail I tied it

around my neck feeling the waistline dig into it Smite me

almighty smiter

With that I closed my eyes and told myself I was ready

Stepping off I felt my lungs struggle I felt my legs kick

frantically I was panicking as life ebbed slowly from my

body I could have stopped it but I didnrsquot

For I needed change

17

LET GOhellipA P O E M B Y S O W M Y A K R I S H N A N

The flowers whispered a silent word

The hum in your ears was so unheard

The clouds too listened and shed a tear

The pain of separation is an intimate fear

The time of ever having to let go

The very moment when you try not to show

The emptiness your heart a bottomless pit

That spark in your eye no more seems lit

But the most painful part yet to come

They left you their faces still blossomed with fun

Just as much as you seemed shattered

To them it looked like it hardly mattered

Embracing each other they walked away

You grappled for a reason to make them stay

But then you saw you were alone in this

They didnrsquot seem to find anything amiss

You desired to see those smiling faces once more

Faces you used to see everyday at your door

Yoursquod held them so close once upon a time

But now ask yourself ldquoWere they ever really minerdquo

Its time to turn away too just leave them be

Maybe you saw a bond that they couldnrsquot see

A bond they didnrsquot mind breaking so

Yes theyrsquore not yours just let go

-SK

by Aswathy Kumar

Sowmya is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has recently moved to Chester to join her husband Prashant Menon who she married in December 2014 She has always enjoyed writing poetry and wishes she had more time to devote to it

18

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

EDITOR T H E C H A N G E I S S U E

thoughts from the

Autumn is a season of change and this is the inspiration for this

issue of the Palm Leaf September brings the smell of new

unopened pages and school supplies Mother Nature concurs

with the Education Department the leaves start to fall and a chill

enters the air The fields are shorn of burgeoning harvest Itrsquos

time to sadly bid farewell to the heady lazy days of summer

However even though the nights are closing in there is an

excitement in the new experiences that await us - frosty country

walks mulled wine by the fire fireworks ndash and even excitement

in the new challenges that the changing season brings

Never has this autumnal change been more apt a metaphor for

me personally I look back wistfully at the carefree days that are

soon to be behind me a life that will be changing imminently

from ldquoyou and merdquo to ldquous threerdquo Of course there is unbelievable

excitement - lsquowhat will you look likersquo lsquowhatrsquos your favourite

song going to bersquo - but there is also the fear of change

Change by itrsquos very nature is never straightforward or easy

Globally the change in the last few years has been significant

Never in human history has there been such a fast pace of

transformation mainly driven by significant advancements in

technology With mobile phones now ubiquitous for both rich

and poor email Facebook and apps like Skype and Whatsapp

makes communication across continents ridiculously easy

compared to the monthly letters and the odd phone call from a

telephone booth that were the only form of contact my parents

had when we first came to England

The way we work has changed - we can outsource skills to

anywhere in the world and build businesses from our living

rooms Rather than waiting to be ldquodiscoveredrdquo individuals can

be proactive and build media careers on YouTube Facebook

and Twitter Services like Uber are already part of Indian life ndash in

Mumbai you can use your mobile to locate and hire the nearest

empty autorickshaw

As well as the changes due to technology there is major social

change happening in India that cannot be ignored

The case of lsquoNirbhayarsquo has forced India to look at the way it

treats its women In a country where female violence is

commonplace the case prompted a wave of major protests

across India However although there was unanimous

condemnation of the perpetrators the attitudes of the

defendantsrsquo lawyers (educated and supposedly cosmopolitan

men) shows us we still have a long way to go in changing

perceptions across the nation Indeed even amongst people

who consider themselves liberal and modern the attitude that

rape can sometimes be the victimrsquos fault - because of what she

was wearing or the time of day of the rape - is still prevalent

As India continues to ride on its economic wave our attitude as

citizens of India towards its problems must change Our

traditional personal views on issues of mass poverty womenrsquos

rights the caste system gay rights freedom of speech etc must

be challenged - no matter how uncomfortable it makes us - if we

hope to make the big changes our country needs

The Palm Leaf

Closer to home change has come to the Palm Leaf as we bid

goodbye to Professor Gopalakrishnan Netuveli as editor and

thank him for his tenure I hope to continue his excellent work

My vision for the Palm Leaf is twofold Firstly to increase the

number and variety of contributors to the Palm Leaf especially

amongst younger writers We must nurture and grow the in-

house talent we have as well as showcase contributions from

writers in Kerala and beyond

Secondly we should remember the mandate of KALA and

reflect this in the magazine Letrsquos use the Palm Leaf as a

medium to explore and discuss the culture and many art forms

of Kerala For many of us especially the youth KALA is a key if

not the only source to expose our rich heritage

Wersquove had great number of wonderful contributions from the

KALA family and beyond for the change issue A few highlights

that specifically address the theme of change include an

unpublished poem from the late poet Kamala Das detailing a

1994 stay in England with her cousin Indira Menon Manasi

Janadaran writes about the significant life change she

experienced when after many years of living in the UK she

moved back to Kerala with her family and started school in

Trivandrum Sethulekshmy Nair pens a fictional account of past

pain and new beginnings Neetu Nair our youth coordinator

writes a dark fictional account exploring mental illness We are

lucky to have secured a contribution from our President K

Natarajan where he reminisces on life changing personal

experience Three poems penned by Ulloor M Parameswaran

Sowmya Krishnan and Biju Balakrishnan and respectively

discuss the different aspects of change

We also have great contributions from our younger members

Thara Nairrsquos poem about Autumn perfectly expresses the

change of the season Rohan Nairrsquos short story addresses

youth poverty as does Nila Pillairsquos poem lsquoOblivionrsquo

Irsquod like to thank all the contributors and offer a special thanks to

the editorial team whorsquove worked so hard in sourcing articles

proofreading illustrating and giving me

great advice in order to bring this

issue together I hope you all

enjoy it

Sangeetha Venugopal

4

ofLIST CONTENTS

01KALA CHIEF GUEST 2015 pg 6ON THE CREST OF A WAVE SHWETA MENON

Santhosh Pillai

02KALA PURASKARAM WINNER pg 7CHOLLIYATTAM ON A GLOBAL STAGE DR ETTUMANOOR P KANNAN

Gopalakrishnan Netuveli

05TOWARDS A NEW DAWN pg 10

A short story by Sethulekshmy Nair

06A DAY IN THE LIFE OFhellip pg 12

A personal account by Manasi Janadaran

08FOR ARTrsquoS SAKE pg 13

An article by Anita Puliyankalath

09THERErsquoS NOTHING WRONG WITH ME pg 14

A short story by Neetu Nair

10LET GO pg 18

A poem by Sowmya Krishnan

11A CRUISE THROUGH HISTORY pg 19

A travelogue by P Ramachandran

12RUNNING THE MARATHON pg 21

A personal account by Rahul Krishnan

04THE PEOPLErsquoS PRESIDENT pg 9

A tribute by Geetha Menon

13അവിടടവ ം തവിട ം pg 23

A personal account by K Natarajan

03NO 11 GEORGIAN CLOSE pg 8

An unpublished poem by Kamala Das

16കടൽകടനനതതിയ കലയ ടട കഥ pg 27

A thought piece by Janaki Nair

17A CONVERSATION WITH AJITH PILLAI pg 29An interview by ldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

20TALES FROM THE KULASEKHARAM pg 35

A letter from GK Nampoothiri

21AUTUMN pg 38

A poem by Thara Nair

22TRENT THE TURKEY pg 39

A short story by Pranav Menon

24OBLIVIOUS pg 41

A poem by Nila Pillai

25RAGS TO RICHES pg 42

A short story by Rohan Nair

26KALEIDOSCOPE pg 45

A poem by Ananya Krishnan

27TOM AND MAYANK IN SOUTH AFRICA pg 46

A story by Siddie Pillai

19പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം pg 32

A biography by Anil Zain

23ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO CAPABILITY pg 40

A poem by Nandita V

18മാററം pg 31

A poem by Ulloor M Parameswaran

14വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦ pg 25

A poem by Biju Balakrishnan

15ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo pg 26

A short story by പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി 5

07THE CARTOON STRIP pg 12

THE WORLD THROUGH KUMBAKARNANrsquoS EYEShellipGeetha Menon

Shweta Menon is a symbol of the rejuvenation taking place in

contemporary Malayalam cinema Versatile in portraying strong

characters she has proven time and time again she is an actor

of substance as well as style KALA is delighted to have

Shweta as the chief guest at its 19th Annual Day celebrations

this year

Born in Calicut Shweta caught the attention of the media when

she competed in the Miss India contest in 1994 and finished

second runner up behind Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai

She split her time between modelling and acting for a few years

before making her mark in Malayalam cinema in several

critically acclaimed films Along the way she has twice won the

Kerala State award for the Best Actress

ldquoI am happy that I have won the awards for two very different

roles My first one for Ranjithrsquos Paleri Manickyam was for a

difficult complex woman called Cheeru who had no say over

her life while Maya in Salt Nrsquo Pepper is a contemporary woman

who is the mistress of her liferdquo Shweta said at the time

Salt Nrsquo Pepper a hit of 2011 saw Shwetarsquos stellar performance

as a character who is a dubbing artiste and foodie The movie

turned out to be the appetiser for a feast of films that followed

and rejuvenated the jaded palates of viewers of Malayalam

cinema Finally the industry had realised that actresses who

have crossed their teens can still carry a film on their own

Sarojini a character Shweta portrayed in the film Madhya

Venal was another of her performances that was noteworthy

She was in yet another award winner in P Balachandranrsquos

Ivan Megharoopan that won the Kerala State Film Award for

the second best film She played Maya Maheswari a nurse

who looks after the protagonist P Madhavan Nair in the movie

a character based on the life of poet P Kunhiraman Nair

Another noteworthy role was in Madhupalrsquos Ozhimuri in which

she played Kaliamma

In addition to acting in over 80 films so far Shweta is an

accomplished dancer She has also established herself as a

popular anchor of TV programmes She is married to

Sreevalsan Menon and they have a daughter Sabaina

SHWETA MENONon the crest of a wave

B Y S A N T H O S H P I L L A I

chief guest KALA annual 2015

6

All the worlds a stage

And all the men and women merely players

They have their exits and their entrances

And one man in his time plays many parts

-William Shakespeare As You Like It Act II Scene VII

When the Bard of Avon penned these words he would not have

imagined that it could be literally interpreted as a call for creative

fusion with cultural boundaries becoming fuzzy and media of

expressions getting mixed That is what the 2015 recipient of

Kalapuraskaram has achieved Dr Ettumanoor P Kannan whom

The Indian Express described as a dangerous mind melds the

kinesics of Kathakali with the poetry of Shakespearean tragedy

He does so without compromising the Bards words or the rules

of Kathakali

Shakespeare is not new to Kathakali in 1999 Australian

playwright-director David McRuvie and French actor- dancer

Annette Leday brought Kathakali King Lear to the Globe

Theatre Margi Madhu the first recipient of Kalapuraskaram

systematised Macbeth for Kathakali The tragedy of Macbeth

was Kannanrsquos choice when he first decided to adapt

Shakespeare to the idiom of Kathakali at Pennsylvania in 2001

It is no wonder too since among the four great Shakespearean

tragedies Macbeth is the one nearest to the elements of the

great Greek tragedies with the human struggle to outwit their

fate and it is also near to the Indian epics the source of many

great Kathakali stories where the pivotal agents are often

feminine A trained Clinical Psychologist Kannan may have

been drawn to Macbeth with its rich tapestry of psychodrama

His interest in the psychology of the characters may have

influenced his choice of Cholliyaattam over Kathakali as his

medium of expression

The only difference between Cholliyaattam and Kathakali is the

absence of costume and heavy makeup Kannan finds that to

the uninitiated the costume can be a distraction With that

distraction removed Kannan can explore and expose the mental

landscape of the Macbeths as they play out their tragic tale

When it was first staged the Macbeth Cholliyaattam Kannan

was accompanied on the stage by a female actor as Lady

Macbeth Then after a hiatus of 12 years he presented it to a

Keralan audience as a solo performance One result of going

solo is the sense of alienation from the characters that evolves

during the performance while at the same time increasing

preoccupation with the techniques In other words the performer

turns auteur and with that Kannan places his personal stamp on

this art form

Born in 1968 Kannan started his Kathakali training at the early

age of nine For the next 22 years he trained in Kalluvazhi

(Northern) style under great and celebrated masters like

Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharodi (disciple of Padmasree

Vazhenkata Kunchunair) Kalanilayam Mohankumar (disciple of

Guru Kalamandalam Kuttan) and Padmasree Mani Madhava

Chakyar Versatility of Kannan can be perceived in the multiple

personae he presents the Performer the Academician the

Lecturer and the Director In Kathakali Kannan shines in pacha

and kathi roles Perhaps Kannanrsquos uniqueness lies in his

treatment of Kathakali academically and translating it for the

foreign audience As a Director he is adept both in traditional

forms of Kathakali theatre as well as transcending it into post

modern theatre Beyond Kathakali Kannan conducts courses in

personality development incorporating aspects of Yoga and has

his own system called Joyous Internal Awareness and

Management for the success of younger generations

His talent received its first recognition when he was twelve and

won the first prize for Kathakali in the State Youth Festival He

went on to win it for the next three years also

Since then he has won many more awards

KALA is really proud to present this

versatile artist the 2015

Kalapuraskaram for his outstanding

and innovative contribution to

Cholliyattam

ETTUMANOOR P KANNANcholliyaattam on a global stage

B Y P R O F E S S O R G O P A L A K R I S H N A N N E T U V E L I

kala puraskaramwinner 2015

7

GEORGIAN CLOSEA P O E M B Y K A M A L A D A S

no 11

The world renowned Kamala Das who passed away in 2009 was a prolific and much admired Malayali author and poet known for her brave and forthright writing both in

Malayalam and in English She wrote this unpublished poem while staying with her cousin Indira and Sethu Menon (former KALA members) during a visit to England in 1994 on

invitation from Southbank Centre in London to read her poems at the International Poetry Festival

In sleepy Crawley

No11 Georgian Close was

the oasis where as a weary traveller

I paused to pitch my tent

Winter had arrived there

cat-treaded and had laid its paw

on the fish pond glazing its skin

and wilting the lilies one by one

The roses curled inwards then

as fists clenched in fear

and quite often the fog lingered long

over the red bricked neighbourhood

I was a total wreck

to say the very least

sailing so long on unchartered seas

confronting the turbulence of the swell

the sun had settled in my eyes

and a fatigue slumbered in my soul

Winter nuzzled the window panes

of No11 Georgian Close

but a perpetual summer dwelt within

cradling the strays the homesick ones

in unaccustomed warmth

Sethu and Indira were so adept at

putting their guest at ease

From the debris of emotional storms

from the rubble and the dust

hope rose again as sap must inevitably rise

within trees in the wake of a winter

however harsh and cold

Photo of the Menonsrsquo garden which inspired Kamala Dasrsquo poem

8

These were the wise and motivating words of Avul Pakir

Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam or APJ Abdul Kalam as he was

better known As Indiarsquos eleventh president Kalam ignited

minds and was popularly referred to as the lsquoPeoplersquos

Presidentrsquo Although never groomed for a political career it

was through sheer hard work and significant achievements

as a scientist that he was elected to the presidential post in

2002 unanimously and in a rare show of unity by the two

large parties in India

Abdul Kalam was the youngest of four brothers and one

sister He was born into a relatively poor Muslim Tamil

family ndash his father Jainulabudeen was a boat owner and the

imam of a small local mosque His mother Ashiamma was

a housewife Through hard work he won a scholarship to

study Aerospace Engineering at the Madras Institute of

Technology He worked at the Indian Space Research

Organisation (ISRO) where he was part of the team that

helped to deploy the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in

1980 Building on his scientific background Abdul Kalam

also served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime

Minister between 1992-1999

During his 5 year tenure as president Abdul Kalam

personified dignity and spread optimism during his travels

throughout India and abroad His stirring speeches at the

UN and the European Parliament are among the best ever

delivered His simplicity in oration and action were

applauded and endeared him to all those who listened

PRESIDENTthe peoplersquos

A T R I B U T E T O A B D U L K A L A M B Y G E E T H A M E N O N

Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than running after swift but synthetic happiness

9

1931 - 2015

On completing his single term as President he returned to a civilian life of education writing and public service devoting his

life to causes such as the nationrsquos poverty and continuing his passion as a scientist to promote Indiarsquos civilian space program

and pro-nuclear efforts He was the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Bharat Ratna Indias highest civilian

honour It was while he was delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong that Mr Kalam collapsed and

died from an apparent cardiac arrest on 27 July 2015 aged 83 The nation mourned the death of one of its finest ex-Presidents

and an exemplary civilian He was buried with full state honours at his hometown of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu

India never had a more beloved president and although his sudden passing left a nation bereaved it will long celebrate the life

of a man steeped in simplicity and the embodiment of the best that India can be KALA pays its respects to truly the peoplersquos

President

I do not know what time it is My husband Subu seems to

have fallen asleep or has he I can see only the top of his

head his hands crossed over the book he was reading with

the page facing down on his chest and his folded knees The

ranthal light is still burning He has a watch but I donrsquot want

to disturb him Why should I know the time There is no

reason I donrsquot think I will get a wink of sleep tonight The

swaying of this vallam should rock me to sleep in normal

circumstances but not tonight I am travelling to a world

unknown to me I donrsquot know what to expect tomorrow and I

am scared

This is my first long journey with my husband There was a

lot of objection from my amma and ammavan Behind their

backs my younger brother Kavunni was the only one who

was supportive Subursquos amma was not happy at all but she

knew that he being a modern man would do only what he

wanted You could say that Ilsquom eloping with my husband of

19 years The family thinks that I was going with him to

Ambalapuzha Parthasarathi Temple for a pooja The journey

started in a kettuvallam from our village Our horse cart will

be waiting for us in Kollam to take us all the way to

Thiruvananthapuram and finally I am going to live with him

This terrible pain has been twisting and crushing both inside

and outside of my being making me feel worthless for the

past 13 years - since the death of my little girl Devaki I was

so lucky to fall pregnant at the age of 14 five years after our

veli and a year after consummation of marriage She was so

beautiful so perfect

Chettan Pottirsquos antharjanam had not been able to conceive

after years of veli and she is desperate to bear a child for

the family They have to have a boy to continue the family

take over their vast property and to pass on the

responsibility of doing all lsquoafter deathrsquo rites for ancestors of

bygone ages Chechi antharjanam used to whisper in my ear

secretly that she did not mind having a girl or a boy I had

been showing off my belly to her - making her feel the life

inside me Have I been secretly taunting her

Being a second child Subu had the freedom of leaving

Vellimana to continue his education where as his older

brother had a bit more restriction to his lifestyle At the time

of our veli Subu having already passed the 4th standard

examination was a teacher in the Padayanar Kulangara

government primary school He could handle Malayalam

Tamil and Sanskrit well and was a voracious reader He

made me learn the languages and brought me lots of books

A couple of years after Devursquos death Subu left to join his

father who was a sub registrar in Vaikom and he passed his

English matriculation examination from Kottayam CMS

school Helsquos now working as a tutor in Maharajas College

Thiruvananthapuram after taking his BA degree from there I

wanted him to stay in the village with me but he could not

quench his thirst for further knowledge living in our small

village Or was it an escape from the deep sorrow of losing a

child

There was another ambition as well A dedicated teacher at

the age of 16 he was loved by his students Once a school

inspector came to the school for inspection unannounced

Subu was a bit late after thevaram The inspector asked a

student a question and the young teacher standing behind

the inspector could not help giving the little one a clue The

inspector said ldquoPotti you are not fit to be a teacher maybe

you are just good enough to be a temple priest Go and do

ambala santhirdquo He was so annoyed that he made a promise

to himself to become an inspector one day So that could be

another reason to get away from the village

He was lucky he could leave the village and go far away

from where it happened But I had to stay back facing the

monotonous life each day He wanted me to go with him but

that was not allowed by the Kshatriya or Namboothiri society

and their customs even though you were following your

husband ldquoCome with me Ambika you donrsquot have to feel

guiltyrdquo he said I was very young and having heard of no one

leaving home before was not bold enough to go against my

mother and uncle So my life went on around our temple a

ldquoThat was the worst day of my life

13 long years agohelliprdquo

DAWNA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y S E T H U L E K S H M Y N A I R

towards a new

Sethulekshmy is a retired gynaecologist In her spare time she is a keen writer and artist as well as a doting ammumma to Bodhi and Tulsi

10

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

handful of cousins and kitchen and reading books until now

I was very lonely Often I hold my barren and cursed belly

and cry in solitude Subu came to me whenever he could

but that was not very often or enough for me If only I had

another child

That was the worst day in my life 13 long years ago Devu

was only 1frac12 years old and came running to me saying that

she was hungry I was busy in the kitchen getting the lunch

ready with amma I said ldquoCome and have a drink of my

milkrdquo She moved my rouka away and suckled When she

was satisfied she covered me I put the wooden spoon

down gave her a quick cuddle and kiss and said ldquoOff you

go dear and play Once ammarsquos hands are free I will find

you and play with yourdquo

Rice was ready to be drained and then I heard someone

shouting ldquoambotti amma kunjurdquo It was from the pond

side and I rushed outside Devu had fallen into the pond

How did she get there I had no idea Velu who was on the

top of the coconut palm heard something falling into the

water He saw the cart he had made for her that morning on

the side of the pond By the time I came out he had dived

into the water and had lifted her limp body up I just stood

there helpless unable to move Kavunni had taken over and

tried to help her to breath My body and mind went still and I

was unaware of what followed Next thing I remember was

hearing Subursquos sorrowful voice saying ldquoAmbika our Devu

has left us forever a gift given to us only for a short time

Do you want to come and see herrdquo

He supported me to get up and walk There she was in the

nalukettu all wrapped up in white cloth looking ever so

peaceful and beautiful with a burning nilavilakku by her side

I fainted again

Devursquos little face flashes in my mind whenever I think of

another child After each of Subursquos visit I offer a thumba

flower garland to Lord Siva asking for his blessings for a

child but then a couple of weeks later my hope perishes

Lord Siva has had lots of garlands from me Prayers were

the only one thing I could do and hope kept me going Subu

wrote the first Malayalam vilapa kavyam after her death He

has read it to me so many times and together we cry

reading it The pain we feel is beyond any explanation

For the past one year Subu has been gently persuading me

to go and live with him in Thiruvananthapuram He says

there is a big hospital in Thycaud where womenrsquos problems

are taken care of The hospital is run by white nurses and

doctors from England I believe that they will check me over

and say if I can have a child Amma antharjanam has been

giving chechi antharjanam and me ayurveda medicines

straight from her back garden to make us conceive for years

now If Lord Siva and she canrsquot help how can these white

doctors It took a year for Subu to make me say yes Only

yesterday he told me what these people might do to me

There was no turning back then All travel arrangements

have been made secretly between Subu and Kavunni

I am totally scared My trust is in my loving husband and the

Lord I cannot sleep at all I closed my eyes tight and said to

myself ldquothis is what I would do tomorrow just see my Lord

in my inner mind and offer him

another thumba garlandrdquo I felt a

pair of hands touching my

shivering tiny body He held

my hands in his big warm hands

and whispered ldquoWelsquore going to

have children lots of them

Their tiny noises will fill the

walls of your kovilakam again

Do not give up hope Now get

some sleep before dawnrdquo It was

very comforting but I know that

both of us will not get any sleep

tonight He dimmed the ranthal

light and the vallam swayed to

the rhythm of waves may be

towards a fresh dawn in my life

11

M A N A S I J A N A D A R A N

Manasi is in Year 11 at Trivandrum International School After many years of living in the UK she moved back to Kerala with her parents three years ago

I wake up at around seven in the weekends to see the stunning

Aakulam Lake surrounded by a dense canopy of coconut palms

After staring at the picturesque view for a couple of minutes I

climb out of bed and get dressed before heading down to see

whatrsquos for breakfast

After the usual disappointment in finding out that breakfast is the

regular omelette and fried banana I go down to the pool

Though itrsquos the morning the water is still warm because of the

unbearable heat outside and I still have time to do a few laps

before the sun rises fully

After swimming Irsquom forced to sit down and study for an hour or

two with the inevitable breaks in between These sessions are

impossible to avoid given that every child even a ten year old

has to write exams every month

Lunch is as usual rice dahl and thoran Some people may find

this a wonderful combination but personally for me itrsquos just a little

repetitive After lunch I have to take a twenty minute drive

towards the city

Many might believe a car journey is a peaceful time to relax and

stare out at the beautiful scenery outside but not here Any

opportunity I get to let my thoughts wander is disrupted by the

constant blaring of horns Though the ride is short I still

encounter several near death experiences as a cause of

reckless driving before arriving at my destination

I spend the next few hours in the city with my friends Usually we

pass the time in a restaurant or a cafeacute (no bowling alleys or ice-

skating rings in Trivandrum) often chatting about the unbearable

heat or the new shopping mall that is supposedly being built

Dinner is often spent at my cousinsrsquo house I spend the night

running around playing football and waiting for the food to cook

(rice again) Finally when we all sit at the table and begin eating

the peaceful atmosphere is disrupted by a few screams as we

see a lizard darting under the table After a few rounds of

running around the table trying to catch it we settle down again

to finish the meal

Lying in bed I often think about how the day has been Though

my average day here is pretty crazy and filled with unpleasant

surprises it makes my life much more interesting Itrsquos almost too

easy to fall asleephellipuntil a storm hits and the monsoon rain is

lashes against the window making sleeping a little harder

in theDAY LIFEa ofhellip

12

THE WORLD THROUGH KUMBAKARNANrsquoS EYEShellip

STRIPhellipthe cartoon

BY GEETHA MENON

for

ARTrsquoS SAKEB Y A N I T A P U L I Y A N K A L A T H

Many of us from Kerala are exposed to the creative arts in

some form or the other But how many of us know about

mural wall painting ndash the transformation of an uninteresting

surface wall to an unforgettable artistic experience How

many of us have seen these wall paintings amp wondered at

their timeless beauty intricate design and rich vibrant

colours

For the uninitiated a traditional Kerala mural is a painting

mainly seen on the walls ceilings of temples and palaces

They depict mostly gods goddesses saints kings nature

and scenes from our epics and Indian mythology It is an

exquisite art form

Do we know how these are created In the traditional style

of mural painting only vegetable colours and natural

pigments are used These can all be sourced locally in

Kerala

The first step in mural art is the meticulous preparation of

the wall The wall is prepared with a rough plastering of lime

and sand mixed with the juice of kadukkai or chunnambvelli

dissolved with palm sugar A smooth plaster with ground

cotton is then applied After 10 days 25 to 30 coats of lime

and tender coconut water is applied till the thickness of the

coat is as thin as a tamarind leaf The mural is painted only

once the wall is completely dry

The five basic colours used in mural painting are yellow

ochre red sap green indigo blue and black The black

colour is made from soot taken from oil lamps A light yellow

colouring is used for sketching instead of pencil and the

piece is perfected with thin black lines The fine brushes

used are made from the delicate blades of arrow grass

lsquoEyyam Pullursquo found in the rural areas of Kerala

Only a skilled artist can work on them for hours and the

motifs are drawn from the lsquoDhyana Slokasrsquo verbal images of

the deities It is often believed that the artist has a divine

vision (lsquoDivya Dhirshtirsquo) which he transforms from his mindrsquos

eye to create a masterpiece using his deftly creative hands

Today one can see some of these exquisite murals in the

Shiva temple of Ettumanoor Guruvayoor temple near

Trichur Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Trivandrum

Churches at Cheppad Alappuzha the Ramayana Murals of

Mattancherry Palace and many more

However in present times in order to bring mural art closer

home many artists have used different materials like

plywood terracotta bamboo and canvass to paint murals

This enables ordinary people like us to appreciate its beauty

Commercial viability has made it possible for talented artists

to use acrylic colours on the Kerala saree shirts and

churidar tops to replicate some of the murals and today

many hotel lobbies and shopping malls are adorned with

beautiful artistic pieces of mural allowing the common man

to experience this sublime art form

So the next time you visit your hometown be sure to look out

for these gems of creation that will fill your soul with artistic

elation

Anita has a Masters Degree in Public Management University of Madras India and is married to Darshan a Marine Pilot They live in Kent and in her spare time she enjoys gardening music crosswords community development yoga and Aerobics

Mural by an artist Ms Geetha from Trivandrum

13

WRONG WITH ME

Age 18

ldquoWake up Greendale Itrsquos 6am Wake uprdquo

The shrill orders screeched at me from beyond my bedroom

door I remain still as if deaf to my wake up call Clutching

the thin salmon coloured covers I stretch my neck in an

attempt to relieve myself from the agonising pain of only

having one pillow to sleep on Slowly I force myself to open

my lazy eyes and stare intently at the grey walls All that is

left now is to listen to my roommate Lisa snore and mutter

to herself in her sleep Pushing myself up into a comfortable

seated position I allow my surroundings to embed

themselves on to my brain A cold room that is occupied by

two beds two sinks two desks and a few of Lisarsquos knitting

books I rest my back against the walls and close my eyes

It was easy to shut my eyes and get lost in the never-

ending pitted blackness that conquered my eyelids

Sometimes I never wanted to open them Itrsquos my escape A

world that I can actually call mine I wallow in what feels like

silky black sheets and envisage a world where I can run

freely with no inhibitions The black fades seamlessly into a

green field dotted with idyllic flowers My neurons create the

feeling of the soles of my feet grazing against the ground as

I pelt through the field feeling the pulse of wind on my

cheek Liberation I donrsquot ever want to open my eyes I want

to stay in this world where I can control every minute detail

to a tee I am physics Without mercy for my soulrsquos rest a

heavy hand clouts upon my unsuspecting shoulder and

opening my eyes I see Lisa her eyes fixated on me Her

blonde short curly hair dishevelled and her eyelashes

coated thick in sleep What appeared to be unkempt

appearance was merely insanity masking the true beauty

beneath

I watched Lisa rub her eyes and sluggishly put on her white

plimsolls Despite being undernourished her scrawny body

moved as if she had masses of weight to carry the burden

of her emotional angst bringing her down Lisa looked at me

as if to say lsquoget a move onrsquo Cracking a half-hearted smile I

stared at my own white plimsolls at the foot of my bed They

seemed so far away so unreachable With a struggle I

stretched across and reached out for them

ldquoGreendale patients It is 630am Breakfast is in 10

minutesrdquo

It was time to get ready for the day ahead My heart

plummeted into the pit of my stomach and a wave of nausea

threw its slurry northward I felt the weight of my head on my

shoulders and slowly but surely my eyes started to fill up

with salty tears This is my life

ldquoYou readyrdquo asked Lisa Nodding I followed her out of

Room 13

My name is Elizabeth Mary Margaret and I am a Greendale

Psychiatric Institute patient

mdashmdashmdash

Age 12

This is my story The story of how a normal girl ended up in

a psychiatric ward (normal being the operative word) It all

began when I was 12 a tender adolescent teenager facing

the usual trials and tribulations that came with the age I

always knew that I was different to the other girls Whilst

they worried about their bodies and boys I worried about the

darker things in life things that would make your skin crawl

Infatuated by the mind of a murderer the motives of a rapist

the depression of an alcoholic I would allow myself to

wander hopelessly in their shoes Some may call it intuition

a natural curiosity for the darker things unknown but from a

very young age I knew that mine was no innocent interest

but a cynical unforgiving obsession An obsessive need that

I possessed compounded with jealousy

On the 12th April 1994 my life started to take a downward

spiral into the pits of my own dark unimaginable thoughts It

was my 12th birthday and what started of with cake and

presents quickly turned ugly as I had an encounter with the

A S H O R T S T O R Y B Y N E E T U N A I R

there is nothing

Neetu is currently finishing her degree in English Language amp Communication from Oxford Brookes University She is a keen writer and hopes to work in Forensics where she can combine her love of investigating crimes with her passion for writing

14

neighbourrsquos cat As my mother entertained party guests I

slowly slipped to the back of my garden where I would often

retreat to watch a busy ant farm I had created I took care

and had meticulously planned how my ant farm was to look

After three weeks of hard work I had reached my goal

Tending to them everyday I worked up a sweat making sure

they were all okay and as today was my birthday I decided to

spend as much time with them as possible Squatting down

next to them I watched them work and as I slowly became

engrossed in studying their movements Misty the

neighbourrsquos tabby walked over them ruining all my hard

work I remember how I felt clearly a huge rush of heat

overcoming my body My cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tears I clenched my fists and watched Misty as she

graciously ruined my masterpiece without a care in the

world It was unforgivable and cruel and as my mother

coined it ldquobad behaviourrdquo

I glared at Misty at which point my feline foe was staring

right back at me She was relentless in my eyes and her

ldquobad behaviourrdquo meant she had to pay Glancing back at my

mum confirming her attention was not on me I quickly

swiped the cat and ran into my wendy house where I

slammed her to the ground and bludgeoned her with a rock

killing her for what she did to my ant farm

To my dismay my mother saw Mistyrsquos dead body laying

under my hat that evening as she was cleaning up after my

party From then on I was summoned to counselling

mdashmdashmdash

Age 13

A year later I was branching into dangerous territory and

felt no guilt for my actions I wanted to cease mankind be

the last woman standing I wanted to be alone in complete

isolation For the past year I had mutilated over twelve

animals and my counsellor had referred me to a doctor who

was assigned to ldquodiagnoserdquo me Nothing was wrong with me

mdashmdashmdash

Age 17

ldquoElizabeth would you come down hererdquo my mother called

up to my room

My mother Jeanette Jane Margaret was a woman of great

standards She believed in keeping up appearances and

was bitterly ashamed of me She would never take me out

for I was a disturbed child and on the rare occasion she did I

would always end up ldquomisbehavingrdquo Mother believed in old-

fashioned customs banning me to my room when I was

naughty was a regularity in this household She did not want

to ever believe that something was wrong with me she

called it a phase The last four years had been turmoil for I

had done things that nightmares were made of I had

bludgeoned animals pushed my sister down the stairs in

rage lit my motherrsquos favourite dress on fire and been

excluded from school

But nothing was wrong with me I was just different

Misunderstood ldquoYesrdquo I asked monotonously avoiding eye

contact

ldquoDr Keele called He is making a house callrdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo

ldquoOh for heavens sake Elizabethrdquo my mothers voice trembled

with frustration fused with sadness

Dr Keele made regular house calls each one intensifying my

confusion

ldquoWhyrdquo I pushed for an answer

ldquoElizabeth you are ruining this familyrdquo Her harsh words

violently pierced my heart I stared back at her into her soul

She was evil she did not understand me

ldquoRuining this family This picture perfect family Howrdquo I

said containing my anger

ldquoHow HOW You are really going to stand there and ask

me such stupid questions I have tried to be patient tried to

listen and guide you But you do wrong You wonrsquot learn

Hiding you in this house for the past five years was a

mistake You are not normal Elizabeth Itrsquos time for a

changerdquo

ldquoA change What sort of changerdquo

ldquoYou need help For as long as I can remember you have

ldquoMy cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tearshelliprdquo

15

been hurting those around you Family friendshellipanimalsrdquo

My motherrsquos words cut me like a knife a sharp pain took

over my body It was anger it was hot and ready to unleash

itrsquos fire breathing dragon to burn her for her insolence

Nothing was wrong with me

At that moment Dr Keele rang the doorbell He was a

dishevelled looking man whose outward unkempt

appearance was no reflection of his intelligent mind I had

respect for him and he was the only one who would talk to

me in a free manner holding no fear in his facial expression

As my mother set down a cup of tea for him he began to

speak

ldquoElizabeth you are looking wellrdquo

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I was drained My

hair was up in a messy ponytail my glasses slipping off the

bridge of my nose It was 4pm and I was still in my pyjamas

Dr Keele was obviously trying to ease the tension in the

room with cheap insincere flattery

For a moment time stood still It was silent and I could feel

motherrsquos eyes on me like a hawk watching its prey Dr Keele

sighed as he took a sip of his tea and as he placed the cup

onto the table he started to rub his temples Leaning

forward he gave a warm smile bearing all of his pearly

whites He stared at me Some would say that the silence

was unbearable and awkward but I basked in it It was a

time that I had to just be and even though I knew I was the

subject of scrutiny it felt peaceful that no one was talking to

me or rather at me My mind drifted off into its own world

I imagined myself sitting in a park alone There were no

other children with me I watched the swings move back and

forth bouncing off the winds power The sky was grey and

the flowers had all wilted It was heaven As I looked around

the park it seemed simply beautiful that such tranquillity was

so easily achieved I examined every corner of the park and

could not help but feel excitement at how perfect it was As I

looked to the playground I noticed that a foul loathsome

creature interrupted the ambience I had created It was a

rabbit Blasted animals I slowly made my way over to the

four-legged freak I could not fathom how people deemed

this ghastly looking thing as cute and with that I swung my

leg back and kicked it in the neck Music came in the form of

its neck breaking as I had injured it Good I sat there

smiling to myself and the power I had held over this pathetic

defenceless creature

Suddenly I felt my mind slip out of this stream of

consciousness I had indulged in I realised that I was sitting

in my living room opposite Dr Keele and mother and a good

five minutes had gone and it was completely silent This was

an abnormality and instantly I knew something was wrong

At once I snapped back into the room and found mother and

Dr Keele whispering together I hated whispering it was

rude and unmannerly Dr Keele noticed that I wasnrsquot day

dreaming anymore

ldquoAh Elizabeth I am glad to see yoursquore backrdquo

I winced I could tell he was lying he was a doctor and this

was a job He was not ldquogladrdquo to see I was back he was

being superfluous

ldquoI expect you are wondering why it has been so quiet for so

longrdquo Dr Keele asked full of hope

ldquoNordquo I monotonously responded

ldquoElizabeth you are special and you have the ability to be

moulded into a wonderful woman You know that your

mother has been having a lot of trouble with you over the

past couple of years with your behavioural problems and I

havenrsquot seemed to knuckle down on a diagnosis for this

conduct you embodyrdquo

16

ldquoThere is nothing wrong with merdquo

ldquoOf courserdquo Dr Keele attempted to console me ldquoThere is

indeed nothing wrong with you but as your doctor I need to

do what is best for you and your motherrdquo I did not like

where this was going

ldquoSo after speaking to a few doctors at the surgery I think it

would be beneficial for you to go to a special place for a few

months to really tackle this issuerdquo

Dr Keele coined the term ldquospecialrdquo as if I was 10 years old

and naiumlve enough to fall for his gentle tone when in fact it

was annoyingly patronising

ldquoGreendale Psychiatric Institute is a lovely place not far

from here It will help pull the reigns in on this problem

There is a room waiting for you and a roommate called Lisa

too You will have a blast and better yet you will be

happierrdquo

ldquoYou will be normal Lizrdquo my mother uttered

I will be normal I will be normal I will be normal No matter

how many times I replayed that word in my head it did not

make sense to me I was normal and it was demeaning of

my mother to use this mundane word as criteria she needed

my personality to hit It was demoralising and slowly I felt

the pain and anger in me boil to temperatures unknown

This woman had carried me for nine months essentially

brought me up and she had the nerve to stop treating me

like her child but rather some abnormal science project

She prodded at my feelings dissected my emotional hold on

life and burnt my will to live She did not understand me no

one did No one could gauge how difficult this was and how

burdened I felt

I will not go to Greendale I will not I will not I will not I was

determined

Unfortunately my determination was not enough Three

days later I was taken there kicking and screaming As the

taxi made its way down the path I caught sight of my

motherrsquos somewhat uplifted demeanour I could not distract

myself from the sense of relief that I had bestowed upon her

face It was heart-breaking that my mother my own flesh

and blood was so elated to see me go

mdashmdashmdash

Age 18

Present day Greendale

Breakfast was over and I traipsed back to my room Lisa

had a knitting lesson and I was lucky to be alone for an

hour I sat down on my bed causing the steel frame to

creak with agony I closed my eyes and felt my tears run

down my cheek I looked at myself in the mirror What I had

come to I was a beaten down run over person I was lost

and confused and my life had pushed me to boundaries I

did not know existed I could not do this anymore As I

reflected on my life I realised how little those around me

knew I felt no guilt for motherrsquos pain Keelersquos frustration and

for all the animals I tortured I guess this was Godrsquos way of

toying with me giving me less freedom than an animal The

four walls closed in on me and my body shook with fear I

needed to stop I needed to be free

Ripping a piece of paper out of my notebook I racked my

mind for words With a shaky hand I wrote

Mother

There was is nothing wrong with me

Elizabeth

Clasping the paper in my hand I carefully lay it on my

pillow I was ready for a change I was ready for a different

life where I did not need to deal with judging eyes and

whispering behind my back Slowly I stood on my chair and

looped my jogging bottoms round the curtain rail I tied it

around my neck feeling the waistline dig into it Smite me

almighty smiter

With that I closed my eyes and told myself I was ready

Stepping off I felt my lungs struggle I felt my legs kick

frantically I was panicking as life ebbed slowly from my

body I could have stopped it but I didnrsquot

For I needed change

17

LET GOhellipA P O E M B Y S O W M Y A K R I S H N A N

The flowers whispered a silent word

The hum in your ears was so unheard

The clouds too listened and shed a tear

The pain of separation is an intimate fear

The time of ever having to let go

The very moment when you try not to show

The emptiness your heart a bottomless pit

That spark in your eye no more seems lit

But the most painful part yet to come

They left you their faces still blossomed with fun

Just as much as you seemed shattered

To them it looked like it hardly mattered

Embracing each other they walked away

You grappled for a reason to make them stay

But then you saw you were alone in this

They didnrsquot seem to find anything amiss

You desired to see those smiling faces once more

Faces you used to see everyday at your door

Yoursquod held them so close once upon a time

But now ask yourself ldquoWere they ever really minerdquo

Its time to turn away too just leave them be

Maybe you saw a bond that they couldnrsquot see

A bond they didnrsquot mind breaking so

Yes theyrsquore not yours just let go

-SK

by Aswathy Kumar

Sowmya is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has recently moved to Chester to join her husband Prashant Menon who she married in December 2014 She has always enjoyed writing poetry and wishes she had more time to devote to it

18

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

ofLIST CONTENTS

01KALA CHIEF GUEST 2015 pg 6ON THE CREST OF A WAVE SHWETA MENON

Santhosh Pillai

02KALA PURASKARAM WINNER pg 7CHOLLIYATTAM ON A GLOBAL STAGE DR ETTUMANOOR P KANNAN

Gopalakrishnan Netuveli

05TOWARDS A NEW DAWN pg 10

A short story by Sethulekshmy Nair

06A DAY IN THE LIFE OFhellip pg 12

A personal account by Manasi Janadaran

08FOR ARTrsquoS SAKE pg 13

An article by Anita Puliyankalath

09THERErsquoS NOTHING WRONG WITH ME pg 14

A short story by Neetu Nair

10LET GO pg 18

A poem by Sowmya Krishnan

11A CRUISE THROUGH HISTORY pg 19

A travelogue by P Ramachandran

12RUNNING THE MARATHON pg 21

A personal account by Rahul Krishnan

04THE PEOPLErsquoS PRESIDENT pg 9

A tribute by Geetha Menon

13അവിടടവ ം തവിട ം pg 23

A personal account by K Natarajan

03NO 11 GEORGIAN CLOSE pg 8

An unpublished poem by Kamala Das

16കടൽകടനനതതിയ കലയ ടട കഥ pg 27

A thought piece by Janaki Nair

17A CONVERSATION WITH AJITH PILLAI pg 29An interview by ldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

20TALES FROM THE KULASEKHARAM pg 35

A letter from GK Nampoothiri

21AUTUMN pg 38

A poem by Thara Nair

22TRENT THE TURKEY pg 39

A short story by Pranav Menon

24OBLIVIOUS pg 41

A poem by Nila Pillai

25RAGS TO RICHES pg 42

A short story by Rohan Nair

26KALEIDOSCOPE pg 45

A poem by Ananya Krishnan

27TOM AND MAYANK IN SOUTH AFRICA pg 46

A story by Siddie Pillai

19പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം pg 32

A biography by Anil Zain

23ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO CAPABILITY pg 40

A poem by Nandita V

18മാററം pg 31

A poem by Ulloor M Parameswaran

14വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦ pg 25

A poem by Biju Balakrishnan

15ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo pg 26

A short story by പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി 5

07THE CARTOON STRIP pg 12

THE WORLD THROUGH KUMBAKARNANrsquoS EYEShellipGeetha Menon

Shweta Menon is a symbol of the rejuvenation taking place in

contemporary Malayalam cinema Versatile in portraying strong

characters she has proven time and time again she is an actor

of substance as well as style KALA is delighted to have

Shweta as the chief guest at its 19th Annual Day celebrations

this year

Born in Calicut Shweta caught the attention of the media when

she competed in the Miss India contest in 1994 and finished

second runner up behind Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai

She split her time between modelling and acting for a few years

before making her mark in Malayalam cinema in several

critically acclaimed films Along the way she has twice won the

Kerala State award for the Best Actress

ldquoI am happy that I have won the awards for two very different

roles My first one for Ranjithrsquos Paleri Manickyam was for a

difficult complex woman called Cheeru who had no say over

her life while Maya in Salt Nrsquo Pepper is a contemporary woman

who is the mistress of her liferdquo Shweta said at the time

Salt Nrsquo Pepper a hit of 2011 saw Shwetarsquos stellar performance

as a character who is a dubbing artiste and foodie The movie

turned out to be the appetiser for a feast of films that followed

and rejuvenated the jaded palates of viewers of Malayalam

cinema Finally the industry had realised that actresses who

have crossed their teens can still carry a film on their own

Sarojini a character Shweta portrayed in the film Madhya

Venal was another of her performances that was noteworthy

She was in yet another award winner in P Balachandranrsquos

Ivan Megharoopan that won the Kerala State Film Award for

the second best film She played Maya Maheswari a nurse

who looks after the protagonist P Madhavan Nair in the movie

a character based on the life of poet P Kunhiraman Nair

Another noteworthy role was in Madhupalrsquos Ozhimuri in which

she played Kaliamma

In addition to acting in over 80 films so far Shweta is an

accomplished dancer She has also established herself as a

popular anchor of TV programmes She is married to

Sreevalsan Menon and they have a daughter Sabaina

SHWETA MENONon the crest of a wave

B Y S A N T H O S H P I L L A I

chief guest KALA annual 2015

6

All the worlds a stage

And all the men and women merely players

They have their exits and their entrances

And one man in his time plays many parts

-William Shakespeare As You Like It Act II Scene VII

When the Bard of Avon penned these words he would not have

imagined that it could be literally interpreted as a call for creative

fusion with cultural boundaries becoming fuzzy and media of

expressions getting mixed That is what the 2015 recipient of

Kalapuraskaram has achieved Dr Ettumanoor P Kannan whom

The Indian Express described as a dangerous mind melds the

kinesics of Kathakali with the poetry of Shakespearean tragedy

He does so without compromising the Bards words or the rules

of Kathakali

Shakespeare is not new to Kathakali in 1999 Australian

playwright-director David McRuvie and French actor- dancer

Annette Leday brought Kathakali King Lear to the Globe

Theatre Margi Madhu the first recipient of Kalapuraskaram

systematised Macbeth for Kathakali The tragedy of Macbeth

was Kannanrsquos choice when he first decided to adapt

Shakespeare to the idiom of Kathakali at Pennsylvania in 2001

It is no wonder too since among the four great Shakespearean

tragedies Macbeth is the one nearest to the elements of the

great Greek tragedies with the human struggle to outwit their

fate and it is also near to the Indian epics the source of many

great Kathakali stories where the pivotal agents are often

feminine A trained Clinical Psychologist Kannan may have

been drawn to Macbeth with its rich tapestry of psychodrama

His interest in the psychology of the characters may have

influenced his choice of Cholliyaattam over Kathakali as his

medium of expression

The only difference between Cholliyaattam and Kathakali is the

absence of costume and heavy makeup Kannan finds that to

the uninitiated the costume can be a distraction With that

distraction removed Kannan can explore and expose the mental

landscape of the Macbeths as they play out their tragic tale

When it was first staged the Macbeth Cholliyaattam Kannan

was accompanied on the stage by a female actor as Lady

Macbeth Then after a hiatus of 12 years he presented it to a

Keralan audience as a solo performance One result of going

solo is the sense of alienation from the characters that evolves

during the performance while at the same time increasing

preoccupation with the techniques In other words the performer

turns auteur and with that Kannan places his personal stamp on

this art form

Born in 1968 Kannan started his Kathakali training at the early

age of nine For the next 22 years he trained in Kalluvazhi

(Northern) style under great and celebrated masters like

Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharodi (disciple of Padmasree

Vazhenkata Kunchunair) Kalanilayam Mohankumar (disciple of

Guru Kalamandalam Kuttan) and Padmasree Mani Madhava

Chakyar Versatility of Kannan can be perceived in the multiple

personae he presents the Performer the Academician the

Lecturer and the Director In Kathakali Kannan shines in pacha

and kathi roles Perhaps Kannanrsquos uniqueness lies in his

treatment of Kathakali academically and translating it for the

foreign audience As a Director he is adept both in traditional

forms of Kathakali theatre as well as transcending it into post

modern theatre Beyond Kathakali Kannan conducts courses in

personality development incorporating aspects of Yoga and has

his own system called Joyous Internal Awareness and

Management for the success of younger generations

His talent received its first recognition when he was twelve and

won the first prize for Kathakali in the State Youth Festival He

went on to win it for the next three years also

Since then he has won many more awards

KALA is really proud to present this

versatile artist the 2015

Kalapuraskaram for his outstanding

and innovative contribution to

Cholliyattam

ETTUMANOOR P KANNANcholliyaattam on a global stage

B Y P R O F E S S O R G O P A L A K R I S H N A N N E T U V E L I

kala puraskaramwinner 2015

7

GEORGIAN CLOSEA P O E M B Y K A M A L A D A S

no 11

The world renowned Kamala Das who passed away in 2009 was a prolific and much admired Malayali author and poet known for her brave and forthright writing both in

Malayalam and in English She wrote this unpublished poem while staying with her cousin Indira and Sethu Menon (former KALA members) during a visit to England in 1994 on

invitation from Southbank Centre in London to read her poems at the International Poetry Festival

In sleepy Crawley

No11 Georgian Close was

the oasis where as a weary traveller

I paused to pitch my tent

Winter had arrived there

cat-treaded and had laid its paw

on the fish pond glazing its skin

and wilting the lilies one by one

The roses curled inwards then

as fists clenched in fear

and quite often the fog lingered long

over the red bricked neighbourhood

I was a total wreck

to say the very least

sailing so long on unchartered seas

confronting the turbulence of the swell

the sun had settled in my eyes

and a fatigue slumbered in my soul

Winter nuzzled the window panes

of No11 Georgian Close

but a perpetual summer dwelt within

cradling the strays the homesick ones

in unaccustomed warmth

Sethu and Indira were so adept at

putting their guest at ease

From the debris of emotional storms

from the rubble and the dust

hope rose again as sap must inevitably rise

within trees in the wake of a winter

however harsh and cold

Photo of the Menonsrsquo garden which inspired Kamala Dasrsquo poem

8

These were the wise and motivating words of Avul Pakir

Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam or APJ Abdul Kalam as he was

better known As Indiarsquos eleventh president Kalam ignited

minds and was popularly referred to as the lsquoPeoplersquos

Presidentrsquo Although never groomed for a political career it

was through sheer hard work and significant achievements

as a scientist that he was elected to the presidential post in

2002 unanimously and in a rare show of unity by the two

large parties in India

Abdul Kalam was the youngest of four brothers and one

sister He was born into a relatively poor Muslim Tamil

family ndash his father Jainulabudeen was a boat owner and the

imam of a small local mosque His mother Ashiamma was

a housewife Through hard work he won a scholarship to

study Aerospace Engineering at the Madras Institute of

Technology He worked at the Indian Space Research

Organisation (ISRO) where he was part of the team that

helped to deploy the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in

1980 Building on his scientific background Abdul Kalam

also served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime

Minister between 1992-1999

During his 5 year tenure as president Abdul Kalam

personified dignity and spread optimism during his travels

throughout India and abroad His stirring speeches at the

UN and the European Parliament are among the best ever

delivered His simplicity in oration and action were

applauded and endeared him to all those who listened

PRESIDENTthe peoplersquos

A T R I B U T E T O A B D U L K A L A M B Y G E E T H A M E N O N

Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than running after swift but synthetic happiness

9

1931 - 2015

On completing his single term as President he returned to a civilian life of education writing and public service devoting his

life to causes such as the nationrsquos poverty and continuing his passion as a scientist to promote Indiarsquos civilian space program

and pro-nuclear efforts He was the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Bharat Ratna Indias highest civilian

honour It was while he was delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong that Mr Kalam collapsed and

died from an apparent cardiac arrest on 27 July 2015 aged 83 The nation mourned the death of one of its finest ex-Presidents

and an exemplary civilian He was buried with full state honours at his hometown of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu

India never had a more beloved president and although his sudden passing left a nation bereaved it will long celebrate the life

of a man steeped in simplicity and the embodiment of the best that India can be KALA pays its respects to truly the peoplersquos

President

I do not know what time it is My husband Subu seems to

have fallen asleep or has he I can see only the top of his

head his hands crossed over the book he was reading with

the page facing down on his chest and his folded knees The

ranthal light is still burning He has a watch but I donrsquot want

to disturb him Why should I know the time There is no

reason I donrsquot think I will get a wink of sleep tonight The

swaying of this vallam should rock me to sleep in normal

circumstances but not tonight I am travelling to a world

unknown to me I donrsquot know what to expect tomorrow and I

am scared

This is my first long journey with my husband There was a

lot of objection from my amma and ammavan Behind their

backs my younger brother Kavunni was the only one who

was supportive Subursquos amma was not happy at all but she

knew that he being a modern man would do only what he

wanted You could say that Ilsquom eloping with my husband of

19 years The family thinks that I was going with him to

Ambalapuzha Parthasarathi Temple for a pooja The journey

started in a kettuvallam from our village Our horse cart will

be waiting for us in Kollam to take us all the way to

Thiruvananthapuram and finally I am going to live with him

This terrible pain has been twisting and crushing both inside

and outside of my being making me feel worthless for the

past 13 years - since the death of my little girl Devaki I was

so lucky to fall pregnant at the age of 14 five years after our

veli and a year after consummation of marriage She was so

beautiful so perfect

Chettan Pottirsquos antharjanam had not been able to conceive

after years of veli and she is desperate to bear a child for

the family They have to have a boy to continue the family

take over their vast property and to pass on the

responsibility of doing all lsquoafter deathrsquo rites for ancestors of

bygone ages Chechi antharjanam used to whisper in my ear

secretly that she did not mind having a girl or a boy I had

been showing off my belly to her - making her feel the life

inside me Have I been secretly taunting her

Being a second child Subu had the freedom of leaving

Vellimana to continue his education where as his older

brother had a bit more restriction to his lifestyle At the time

of our veli Subu having already passed the 4th standard

examination was a teacher in the Padayanar Kulangara

government primary school He could handle Malayalam

Tamil and Sanskrit well and was a voracious reader He

made me learn the languages and brought me lots of books

A couple of years after Devursquos death Subu left to join his

father who was a sub registrar in Vaikom and he passed his

English matriculation examination from Kottayam CMS

school Helsquos now working as a tutor in Maharajas College

Thiruvananthapuram after taking his BA degree from there I

wanted him to stay in the village with me but he could not

quench his thirst for further knowledge living in our small

village Or was it an escape from the deep sorrow of losing a

child

There was another ambition as well A dedicated teacher at

the age of 16 he was loved by his students Once a school

inspector came to the school for inspection unannounced

Subu was a bit late after thevaram The inspector asked a

student a question and the young teacher standing behind

the inspector could not help giving the little one a clue The

inspector said ldquoPotti you are not fit to be a teacher maybe

you are just good enough to be a temple priest Go and do

ambala santhirdquo He was so annoyed that he made a promise

to himself to become an inspector one day So that could be

another reason to get away from the village

He was lucky he could leave the village and go far away

from where it happened But I had to stay back facing the

monotonous life each day He wanted me to go with him but

that was not allowed by the Kshatriya or Namboothiri society

and their customs even though you were following your

husband ldquoCome with me Ambika you donrsquot have to feel

guiltyrdquo he said I was very young and having heard of no one

leaving home before was not bold enough to go against my

mother and uncle So my life went on around our temple a

ldquoThat was the worst day of my life

13 long years agohelliprdquo

DAWNA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y S E T H U L E K S H M Y N A I R

towards a new

Sethulekshmy is a retired gynaecologist In her spare time she is a keen writer and artist as well as a doting ammumma to Bodhi and Tulsi

10

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

handful of cousins and kitchen and reading books until now

I was very lonely Often I hold my barren and cursed belly

and cry in solitude Subu came to me whenever he could

but that was not very often or enough for me If only I had

another child

That was the worst day in my life 13 long years ago Devu

was only 1frac12 years old and came running to me saying that

she was hungry I was busy in the kitchen getting the lunch

ready with amma I said ldquoCome and have a drink of my

milkrdquo She moved my rouka away and suckled When she

was satisfied she covered me I put the wooden spoon

down gave her a quick cuddle and kiss and said ldquoOff you

go dear and play Once ammarsquos hands are free I will find

you and play with yourdquo

Rice was ready to be drained and then I heard someone

shouting ldquoambotti amma kunjurdquo It was from the pond

side and I rushed outside Devu had fallen into the pond

How did she get there I had no idea Velu who was on the

top of the coconut palm heard something falling into the

water He saw the cart he had made for her that morning on

the side of the pond By the time I came out he had dived

into the water and had lifted her limp body up I just stood

there helpless unable to move Kavunni had taken over and

tried to help her to breath My body and mind went still and I

was unaware of what followed Next thing I remember was

hearing Subursquos sorrowful voice saying ldquoAmbika our Devu

has left us forever a gift given to us only for a short time

Do you want to come and see herrdquo

He supported me to get up and walk There she was in the

nalukettu all wrapped up in white cloth looking ever so

peaceful and beautiful with a burning nilavilakku by her side

I fainted again

Devursquos little face flashes in my mind whenever I think of

another child After each of Subursquos visit I offer a thumba

flower garland to Lord Siva asking for his blessings for a

child but then a couple of weeks later my hope perishes

Lord Siva has had lots of garlands from me Prayers were

the only one thing I could do and hope kept me going Subu

wrote the first Malayalam vilapa kavyam after her death He

has read it to me so many times and together we cry

reading it The pain we feel is beyond any explanation

For the past one year Subu has been gently persuading me

to go and live with him in Thiruvananthapuram He says

there is a big hospital in Thycaud where womenrsquos problems

are taken care of The hospital is run by white nurses and

doctors from England I believe that they will check me over

and say if I can have a child Amma antharjanam has been

giving chechi antharjanam and me ayurveda medicines

straight from her back garden to make us conceive for years

now If Lord Siva and she canrsquot help how can these white

doctors It took a year for Subu to make me say yes Only

yesterday he told me what these people might do to me

There was no turning back then All travel arrangements

have been made secretly between Subu and Kavunni

I am totally scared My trust is in my loving husband and the

Lord I cannot sleep at all I closed my eyes tight and said to

myself ldquothis is what I would do tomorrow just see my Lord

in my inner mind and offer him

another thumba garlandrdquo I felt a

pair of hands touching my

shivering tiny body He held

my hands in his big warm hands

and whispered ldquoWelsquore going to

have children lots of them

Their tiny noises will fill the

walls of your kovilakam again

Do not give up hope Now get

some sleep before dawnrdquo It was

very comforting but I know that

both of us will not get any sleep

tonight He dimmed the ranthal

light and the vallam swayed to

the rhythm of waves may be

towards a fresh dawn in my life

11

M A N A S I J A N A D A R A N

Manasi is in Year 11 at Trivandrum International School After many years of living in the UK she moved back to Kerala with her parents three years ago

I wake up at around seven in the weekends to see the stunning

Aakulam Lake surrounded by a dense canopy of coconut palms

After staring at the picturesque view for a couple of minutes I

climb out of bed and get dressed before heading down to see

whatrsquos for breakfast

After the usual disappointment in finding out that breakfast is the

regular omelette and fried banana I go down to the pool

Though itrsquos the morning the water is still warm because of the

unbearable heat outside and I still have time to do a few laps

before the sun rises fully

After swimming Irsquom forced to sit down and study for an hour or

two with the inevitable breaks in between These sessions are

impossible to avoid given that every child even a ten year old

has to write exams every month

Lunch is as usual rice dahl and thoran Some people may find

this a wonderful combination but personally for me itrsquos just a little

repetitive After lunch I have to take a twenty minute drive

towards the city

Many might believe a car journey is a peaceful time to relax and

stare out at the beautiful scenery outside but not here Any

opportunity I get to let my thoughts wander is disrupted by the

constant blaring of horns Though the ride is short I still

encounter several near death experiences as a cause of

reckless driving before arriving at my destination

I spend the next few hours in the city with my friends Usually we

pass the time in a restaurant or a cafeacute (no bowling alleys or ice-

skating rings in Trivandrum) often chatting about the unbearable

heat or the new shopping mall that is supposedly being built

Dinner is often spent at my cousinsrsquo house I spend the night

running around playing football and waiting for the food to cook

(rice again) Finally when we all sit at the table and begin eating

the peaceful atmosphere is disrupted by a few screams as we

see a lizard darting under the table After a few rounds of

running around the table trying to catch it we settle down again

to finish the meal

Lying in bed I often think about how the day has been Though

my average day here is pretty crazy and filled with unpleasant

surprises it makes my life much more interesting Itrsquos almost too

easy to fall asleephellipuntil a storm hits and the monsoon rain is

lashes against the window making sleeping a little harder

in theDAY LIFEa ofhellip

12

THE WORLD THROUGH KUMBAKARNANrsquoS EYEShellip

STRIPhellipthe cartoon

BY GEETHA MENON

for

ARTrsquoS SAKEB Y A N I T A P U L I Y A N K A L A T H

Many of us from Kerala are exposed to the creative arts in

some form or the other But how many of us know about

mural wall painting ndash the transformation of an uninteresting

surface wall to an unforgettable artistic experience How

many of us have seen these wall paintings amp wondered at

their timeless beauty intricate design and rich vibrant

colours

For the uninitiated a traditional Kerala mural is a painting

mainly seen on the walls ceilings of temples and palaces

They depict mostly gods goddesses saints kings nature

and scenes from our epics and Indian mythology It is an

exquisite art form

Do we know how these are created In the traditional style

of mural painting only vegetable colours and natural

pigments are used These can all be sourced locally in

Kerala

The first step in mural art is the meticulous preparation of

the wall The wall is prepared with a rough plastering of lime

and sand mixed with the juice of kadukkai or chunnambvelli

dissolved with palm sugar A smooth plaster with ground

cotton is then applied After 10 days 25 to 30 coats of lime

and tender coconut water is applied till the thickness of the

coat is as thin as a tamarind leaf The mural is painted only

once the wall is completely dry

The five basic colours used in mural painting are yellow

ochre red sap green indigo blue and black The black

colour is made from soot taken from oil lamps A light yellow

colouring is used for sketching instead of pencil and the

piece is perfected with thin black lines The fine brushes

used are made from the delicate blades of arrow grass

lsquoEyyam Pullursquo found in the rural areas of Kerala

Only a skilled artist can work on them for hours and the

motifs are drawn from the lsquoDhyana Slokasrsquo verbal images of

the deities It is often believed that the artist has a divine

vision (lsquoDivya Dhirshtirsquo) which he transforms from his mindrsquos

eye to create a masterpiece using his deftly creative hands

Today one can see some of these exquisite murals in the

Shiva temple of Ettumanoor Guruvayoor temple near

Trichur Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Trivandrum

Churches at Cheppad Alappuzha the Ramayana Murals of

Mattancherry Palace and many more

However in present times in order to bring mural art closer

home many artists have used different materials like

plywood terracotta bamboo and canvass to paint murals

This enables ordinary people like us to appreciate its beauty

Commercial viability has made it possible for talented artists

to use acrylic colours on the Kerala saree shirts and

churidar tops to replicate some of the murals and today

many hotel lobbies and shopping malls are adorned with

beautiful artistic pieces of mural allowing the common man

to experience this sublime art form

So the next time you visit your hometown be sure to look out

for these gems of creation that will fill your soul with artistic

elation

Anita has a Masters Degree in Public Management University of Madras India and is married to Darshan a Marine Pilot They live in Kent and in her spare time she enjoys gardening music crosswords community development yoga and Aerobics

Mural by an artist Ms Geetha from Trivandrum

13

WRONG WITH ME

Age 18

ldquoWake up Greendale Itrsquos 6am Wake uprdquo

The shrill orders screeched at me from beyond my bedroom

door I remain still as if deaf to my wake up call Clutching

the thin salmon coloured covers I stretch my neck in an

attempt to relieve myself from the agonising pain of only

having one pillow to sleep on Slowly I force myself to open

my lazy eyes and stare intently at the grey walls All that is

left now is to listen to my roommate Lisa snore and mutter

to herself in her sleep Pushing myself up into a comfortable

seated position I allow my surroundings to embed

themselves on to my brain A cold room that is occupied by

two beds two sinks two desks and a few of Lisarsquos knitting

books I rest my back against the walls and close my eyes

It was easy to shut my eyes and get lost in the never-

ending pitted blackness that conquered my eyelids

Sometimes I never wanted to open them Itrsquos my escape A

world that I can actually call mine I wallow in what feels like

silky black sheets and envisage a world where I can run

freely with no inhibitions The black fades seamlessly into a

green field dotted with idyllic flowers My neurons create the

feeling of the soles of my feet grazing against the ground as

I pelt through the field feeling the pulse of wind on my

cheek Liberation I donrsquot ever want to open my eyes I want

to stay in this world where I can control every minute detail

to a tee I am physics Without mercy for my soulrsquos rest a

heavy hand clouts upon my unsuspecting shoulder and

opening my eyes I see Lisa her eyes fixated on me Her

blonde short curly hair dishevelled and her eyelashes

coated thick in sleep What appeared to be unkempt

appearance was merely insanity masking the true beauty

beneath

I watched Lisa rub her eyes and sluggishly put on her white

plimsolls Despite being undernourished her scrawny body

moved as if she had masses of weight to carry the burden

of her emotional angst bringing her down Lisa looked at me

as if to say lsquoget a move onrsquo Cracking a half-hearted smile I

stared at my own white plimsolls at the foot of my bed They

seemed so far away so unreachable With a struggle I

stretched across and reached out for them

ldquoGreendale patients It is 630am Breakfast is in 10

minutesrdquo

It was time to get ready for the day ahead My heart

plummeted into the pit of my stomach and a wave of nausea

threw its slurry northward I felt the weight of my head on my

shoulders and slowly but surely my eyes started to fill up

with salty tears This is my life

ldquoYou readyrdquo asked Lisa Nodding I followed her out of

Room 13

My name is Elizabeth Mary Margaret and I am a Greendale

Psychiatric Institute patient

mdashmdashmdash

Age 12

This is my story The story of how a normal girl ended up in

a psychiatric ward (normal being the operative word) It all

began when I was 12 a tender adolescent teenager facing

the usual trials and tribulations that came with the age I

always knew that I was different to the other girls Whilst

they worried about their bodies and boys I worried about the

darker things in life things that would make your skin crawl

Infatuated by the mind of a murderer the motives of a rapist

the depression of an alcoholic I would allow myself to

wander hopelessly in their shoes Some may call it intuition

a natural curiosity for the darker things unknown but from a

very young age I knew that mine was no innocent interest

but a cynical unforgiving obsession An obsessive need that

I possessed compounded with jealousy

On the 12th April 1994 my life started to take a downward

spiral into the pits of my own dark unimaginable thoughts It

was my 12th birthday and what started of with cake and

presents quickly turned ugly as I had an encounter with the

A S H O R T S T O R Y B Y N E E T U N A I R

there is nothing

Neetu is currently finishing her degree in English Language amp Communication from Oxford Brookes University She is a keen writer and hopes to work in Forensics where she can combine her love of investigating crimes with her passion for writing

14

neighbourrsquos cat As my mother entertained party guests I

slowly slipped to the back of my garden where I would often

retreat to watch a busy ant farm I had created I took care

and had meticulously planned how my ant farm was to look

After three weeks of hard work I had reached my goal

Tending to them everyday I worked up a sweat making sure

they were all okay and as today was my birthday I decided to

spend as much time with them as possible Squatting down

next to them I watched them work and as I slowly became

engrossed in studying their movements Misty the

neighbourrsquos tabby walked over them ruining all my hard

work I remember how I felt clearly a huge rush of heat

overcoming my body My cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tears I clenched my fists and watched Misty as she

graciously ruined my masterpiece without a care in the

world It was unforgivable and cruel and as my mother

coined it ldquobad behaviourrdquo

I glared at Misty at which point my feline foe was staring

right back at me She was relentless in my eyes and her

ldquobad behaviourrdquo meant she had to pay Glancing back at my

mum confirming her attention was not on me I quickly

swiped the cat and ran into my wendy house where I

slammed her to the ground and bludgeoned her with a rock

killing her for what she did to my ant farm

To my dismay my mother saw Mistyrsquos dead body laying

under my hat that evening as she was cleaning up after my

party From then on I was summoned to counselling

mdashmdashmdash

Age 13

A year later I was branching into dangerous territory and

felt no guilt for my actions I wanted to cease mankind be

the last woman standing I wanted to be alone in complete

isolation For the past year I had mutilated over twelve

animals and my counsellor had referred me to a doctor who

was assigned to ldquodiagnoserdquo me Nothing was wrong with me

mdashmdashmdash

Age 17

ldquoElizabeth would you come down hererdquo my mother called

up to my room

My mother Jeanette Jane Margaret was a woman of great

standards She believed in keeping up appearances and

was bitterly ashamed of me She would never take me out

for I was a disturbed child and on the rare occasion she did I

would always end up ldquomisbehavingrdquo Mother believed in old-

fashioned customs banning me to my room when I was

naughty was a regularity in this household She did not want

to ever believe that something was wrong with me she

called it a phase The last four years had been turmoil for I

had done things that nightmares were made of I had

bludgeoned animals pushed my sister down the stairs in

rage lit my motherrsquos favourite dress on fire and been

excluded from school

But nothing was wrong with me I was just different

Misunderstood ldquoYesrdquo I asked monotonously avoiding eye

contact

ldquoDr Keele called He is making a house callrdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo

ldquoOh for heavens sake Elizabethrdquo my mothers voice trembled

with frustration fused with sadness

Dr Keele made regular house calls each one intensifying my

confusion

ldquoWhyrdquo I pushed for an answer

ldquoElizabeth you are ruining this familyrdquo Her harsh words

violently pierced my heart I stared back at her into her soul

She was evil she did not understand me

ldquoRuining this family This picture perfect family Howrdquo I

said containing my anger

ldquoHow HOW You are really going to stand there and ask

me such stupid questions I have tried to be patient tried to

listen and guide you But you do wrong You wonrsquot learn

Hiding you in this house for the past five years was a

mistake You are not normal Elizabeth Itrsquos time for a

changerdquo

ldquoA change What sort of changerdquo

ldquoYou need help For as long as I can remember you have

ldquoMy cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tearshelliprdquo

15

been hurting those around you Family friendshellipanimalsrdquo

My motherrsquos words cut me like a knife a sharp pain took

over my body It was anger it was hot and ready to unleash

itrsquos fire breathing dragon to burn her for her insolence

Nothing was wrong with me

At that moment Dr Keele rang the doorbell He was a

dishevelled looking man whose outward unkempt

appearance was no reflection of his intelligent mind I had

respect for him and he was the only one who would talk to

me in a free manner holding no fear in his facial expression

As my mother set down a cup of tea for him he began to

speak

ldquoElizabeth you are looking wellrdquo

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I was drained My

hair was up in a messy ponytail my glasses slipping off the

bridge of my nose It was 4pm and I was still in my pyjamas

Dr Keele was obviously trying to ease the tension in the

room with cheap insincere flattery

For a moment time stood still It was silent and I could feel

motherrsquos eyes on me like a hawk watching its prey Dr Keele

sighed as he took a sip of his tea and as he placed the cup

onto the table he started to rub his temples Leaning

forward he gave a warm smile bearing all of his pearly

whites He stared at me Some would say that the silence

was unbearable and awkward but I basked in it It was a

time that I had to just be and even though I knew I was the

subject of scrutiny it felt peaceful that no one was talking to

me or rather at me My mind drifted off into its own world

I imagined myself sitting in a park alone There were no

other children with me I watched the swings move back and

forth bouncing off the winds power The sky was grey and

the flowers had all wilted It was heaven As I looked around

the park it seemed simply beautiful that such tranquillity was

so easily achieved I examined every corner of the park and

could not help but feel excitement at how perfect it was As I

looked to the playground I noticed that a foul loathsome

creature interrupted the ambience I had created It was a

rabbit Blasted animals I slowly made my way over to the

four-legged freak I could not fathom how people deemed

this ghastly looking thing as cute and with that I swung my

leg back and kicked it in the neck Music came in the form of

its neck breaking as I had injured it Good I sat there

smiling to myself and the power I had held over this pathetic

defenceless creature

Suddenly I felt my mind slip out of this stream of

consciousness I had indulged in I realised that I was sitting

in my living room opposite Dr Keele and mother and a good

five minutes had gone and it was completely silent This was

an abnormality and instantly I knew something was wrong

At once I snapped back into the room and found mother and

Dr Keele whispering together I hated whispering it was

rude and unmannerly Dr Keele noticed that I wasnrsquot day

dreaming anymore

ldquoAh Elizabeth I am glad to see yoursquore backrdquo

I winced I could tell he was lying he was a doctor and this

was a job He was not ldquogladrdquo to see I was back he was

being superfluous

ldquoI expect you are wondering why it has been so quiet for so

longrdquo Dr Keele asked full of hope

ldquoNordquo I monotonously responded

ldquoElizabeth you are special and you have the ability to be

moulded into a wonderful woman You know that your

mother has been having a lot of trouble with you over the

past couple of years with your behavioural problems and I

havenrsquot seemed to knuckle down on a diagnosis for this

conduct you embodyrdquo

16

ldquoThere is nothing wrong with merdquo

ldquoOf courserdquo Dr Keele attempted to console me ldquoThere is

indeed nothing wrong with you but as your doctor I need to

do what is best for you and your motherrdquo I did not like

where this was going

ldquoSo after speaking to a few doctors at the surgery I think it

would be beneficial for you to go to a special place for a few

months to really tackle this issuerdquo

Dr Keele coined the term ldquospecialrdquo as if I was 10 years old

and naiumlve enough to fall for his gentle tone when in fact it

was annoyingly patronising

ldquoGreendale Psychiatric Institute is a lovely place not far

from here It will help pull the reigns in on this problem

There is a room waiting for you and a roommate called Lisa

too You will have a blast and better yet you will be

happierrdquo

ldquoYou will be normal Lizrdquo my mother uttered

I will be normal I will be normal I will be normal No matter

how many times I replayed that word in my head it did not

make sense to me I was normal and it was demeaning of

my mother to use this mundane word as criteria she needed

my personality to hit It was demoralising and slowly I felt

the pain and anger in me boil to temperatures unknown

This woman had carried me for nine months essentially

brought me up and she had the nerve to stop treating me

like her child but rather some abnormal science project

She prodded at my feelings dissected my emotional hold on

life and burnt my will to live She did not understand me no

one did No one could gauge how difficult this was and how

burdened I felt

I will not go to Greendale I will not I will not I will not I was

determined

Unfortunately my determination was not enough Three

days later I was taken there kicking and screaming As the

taxi made its way down the path I caught sight of my

motherrsquos somewhat uplifted demeanour I could not distract

myself from the sense of relief that I had bestowed upon her

face It was heart-breaking that my mother my own flesh

and blood was so elated to see me go

mdashmdashmdash

Age 18

Present day Greendale

Breakfast was over and I traipsed back to my room Lisa

had a knitting lesson and I was lucky to be alone for an

hour I sat down on my bed causing the steel frame to

creak with agony I closed my eyes and felt my tears run

down my cheek I looked at myself in the mirror What I had

come to I was a beaten down run over person I was lost

and confused and my life had pushed me to boundaries I

did not know existed I could not do this anymore As I

reflected on my life I realised how little those around me

knew I felt no guilt for motherrsquos pain Keelersquos frustration and

for all the animals I tortured I guess this was Godrsquos way of

toying with me giving me less freedom than an animal The

four walls closed in on me and my body shook with fear I

needed to stop I needed to be free

Ripping a piece of paper out of my notebook I racked my

mind for words With a shaky hand I wrote

Mother

There was is nothing wrong with me

Elizabeth

Clasping the paper in my hand I carefully lay it on my

pillow I was ready for a change I was ready for a different

life where I did not need to deal with judging eyes and

whispering behind my back Slowly I stood on my chair and

looped my jogging bottoms round the curtain rail I tied it

around my neck feeling the waistline dig into it Smite me

almighty smiter

With that I closed my eyes and told myself I was ready

Stepping off I felt my lungs struggle I felt my legs kick

frantically I was panicking as life ebbed slowly from my

body I could have stopped it but I didnrsquot

For I needed change

17

LET GOhellipA P O E M B Y S O W M Y A K R I S H N A N

The flowers whispered a silent word

The hum in your ears was so unheard

The clouds too listened and shed a tear

The pain of separation is an intimate fear

The time of ever having to let go

The very moment when you try not to show

The emptiness your heart a bottomless pit

That spark in your eye no more seems lit

But the most painful part yet to come

They left you their faces still blossomed with fun

Just as much as you seemed shattered

To them it looked like it hardly mattered

Embracing each other they walked away

You grappled for a reason to make them stay

But then you saw you were alone in this

They didnrsquot seem to find anything amiss

You desired to see those smiling faces once more

Faces you used to see everyday at your door

Yoursquod held them so close once upon a time

But now ask yourself ldquoWere they ever really minerdquo

Its time to turn away too just leave them be

Maybe you saw a bond that they couldnrsquot see

A bond they didnrsquot mind breaking so

Yes theyrsquore not yours just let go

-SK

by Aswathy Kumar

Sowmya is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has recently moved to Chester to join her husband Prashant Menon who she married in December 2014 She has always enjoyed writing poetry and wishes she had more time to devote to it

18

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

Shweta Menon is a symbol of the rejuvenation taking place in

contemporary Malayalam cinema Versatile in portraying strong

characters she has proven time and time again she is an actor

of substance as well as style KALA is delighted to have

Shweta as the chief guest at its 19th Annual Day celebrations

this year

Born in Calicut Shweta caught the attention of the media when

she competed in the Miss India contest in 1994 and finished

second runner up behind Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai

She split her time between modelling and acting for a few years

before making her mark in Malayalam cinema in several

critically acclaimed films Along the way she has twice won the

Kerala State award for the Best Actress

ldquoI am happy that I have won the awards for two very different

roles My first one for Ranjithrsquos Paleri Manickyam was for a

difficult complex woman called Cheeru who had no say over

her life while Maya in Salt Nrsquo Pepper is a contemporary woman

who is the mistress of her liferdquo Shweta said at the time

Salt Nrsquo Pepper a hit of 2011 saw Shwetarsquos stellar performance

as a character who is a dubbing artiste and foodie The movie

turned out to be the appetiser for a feast of films that followed

and rejuvenated the jaded palates of viewers of Malayalam

cinema Finally the industry had realised that actresses who

have crossed their teens can still carry a film on their own

Sarojini a character Shweta portrayed in the film Madhya

Venal was another of her performances that was noteworthy

She was in yet another award winner in P Balachandranrsquos

Ivan Megharoopan that won the Kerala State Film Award for

the second best film She played Maya Maheswari a nurse

who looks after the protagonist P Madhavan Nair in the movie

a character based on the life of poet P Kunhiraman Nair

Another noteworthy role was in Madhupalrsquos Ozhimuri in which

she played Kaliamma

In addition to acting in over 80 films so far Shweta is an

accomplished dancer She has also established herself as a

popular anchor of TV programmes She is married to

Sreevalsan Menon and they have a daughter Sabaina

SHWETA MENONon the crest of a wave

B Y S A N T H O S H P I L L A I

chief guest KALA annual 2015

6

All the worlds a stage

And all the men and women merely players

They have their exits and their entrances

And one man in his time plays many parts

-William Shakespeare As You Like It Act II Scene VII

When the Bard of Avon penned these words he would not have

imagined that it could be literally interpreted as a call for creative

fusion with cultural boundaries becoming fuzzy and media of

expressions getting mixed That is what the 2015 recipient of

Kalapuraskaram has achieved Dr Ettumanoor P Kannan whom

The Indian Express described as a dangerous mind melds the

kinesics of Kathakali with the poetry of Shakespearean tragedy

He does so without compromising the Bards words or the rules

of Kathakali

Shakespeare is not new to Kathakali in 1999 Australian

playwright-director David McRuvie and French actor- dancer

Annette Leday brought Kathakali King Lear to the Globe

Theatre Margi Madhu the first recipient of Kalapuraskaram

systematised Macbeth for Kathakali The tragedy of Macbeth

was Kannanrsquos choice when he first decided to adapt

Shakespeare to the idiom of Kathakali at Pennsylvania in 2001

It is no wonder too since among the four great Shakespearean

tragedies Macbeth is the one nearest to the elements of the

great Greek tragedies with the human struggle to outwit their

fate and it is also near to the Indian epics the source of many

great Kathakali stories where the pivotal agents are often

feminine A trained Clinical Psychologist Kannan may have

been drawn to Macbeth with its rich tapestry of psychodrama

His interest in the psychology of the characters may have

influenced his choice of Cholliyaattam over Kathakali as his

medium of expression

The only difference between Cholliyaattam and Kathakali is the

absence of costume and heavy makeup Kannan finds that to

the uninitiated the costume can be a distraction With that

distraction removed Kannan can explore and expose the mental

landscape of the Macbeths as they play out their tragic tale

When it was first staged the Macbeth Cholliyaattam Kannan

was accompanied on the stage by a female actor as Lady

Macbeth Then after a hiatus of 12 years he presented it to a

Keralan audience as a solo performance One result of going

solo is the sense of alienation from the characters that evolves

during the performance while at the same time increasing

preoccupation with the techniques In other words the performer

turns auteur and with that Kannan places his personal stamp on

this art form

Born in 1968 Kannan started his Kathakali training at the early

age of nine For the next 22 years he trained in Kalluvazhi

(Northern) style under great and celebrated masters like

Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharodi (disciple of Padmasree

Vazhenkata Kunchunair) Kalanilayam Mohankumar (disciple of

Guru Kalamandalam Kuttan) and Padmasree Mani Madhava

Chakyar Versatility of Kannan can be perceived in the multiple

personae he presents the Performer the Academician the

Lecturer and the Director In Kathakali Kannan shines in pacha

and kathi roles Perhaps Kannanrsquos uniqueness lies in his

treatment of Kathakali academically and translating it for the

foreign audience As a Director he is adept both in traditional

forms of Kathakali theatre as well as transcending it into post

modern theatre Beyond Kathakali Kannan conducts courses in

personality development incorporating aspects of Yoga and has

his own system called Joyous Internal Awareness and

Management for the success of younger generations

His talent received its first recognition when he was twelve and

won the first prize for Kathakali in the State Youth Festival He

went on to win it for the next three years also

Since then he has won many more awards

KALA is really proud to present this

versatile artist the 2015

Kalapuraskaram for his outstanding

and innovative contribution to

Cholliyattam

ETTUMANOOR P KANNANcholliyaattam on a global stage

B Y P R O F E S S O R G O P A L A K R I S H N A N N E T U V E L I

kala puraskaramwinner 2015

7

GEORGIAN CLOSEA P O E M B Y K A M A L A D A S

no 11

The world renowned Kamala Das who passed away in 2009 was a prolific and much admired Malayali author and poet known for her brave and forthright writing both in

Malayalam and in English She wrote this unpublished poem while staying with her cousin Indira and Sethu Menon (former KALA members) during a visit to England in 1994 on

invitation from Southbank Centre in London to read her poems at the International Poetry Festival

In sleepy Crawley

No11 Georgian Close was

the oasis where as a weary traveller

I paused to pitch my tent

Winter had arrived there

cat-treaded and had laid its paw

on the fish pond glazing its skin

and wilting the lilies one by one

The roses curled inwards then

as fists clenched in fear

and quite often the fog lingered long

over the red bricked neighbourhood

I was a total wreck

to say the very least

sailing so long on unchartered seas

confronting the turbulence of the swell

the sun had settled in my eyes

and a fatigue slumbered in my soul

Winter nuzzled the window panes

of No11 Georgian Close

but a perpetual summer dwelt within

cradling the strays the homesick ones

in unaccustomed warmth

Sethu and Indira were so adept at

putting their guest at ease

From the debris of emotional storms

from the rubble and the dust

hope rose again as sap must inevitably rise

within trees in the wake of a winter

however harsh and cold

Photo of the Menonsrsquo garden which inspired Kamala Dasrsquo poem

8

These were the wise and motivating words of Avul Pakir

Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam or APJ Abdul Kalam as he was

better known As Indiarsquos eleventh president Kalam ignited

minds and was popularly referred to as the lsquoPeoplersquos

Presidentrsquo Although never groomed for a political career it

was through sheer hard work and significant achievements

as a scientist that he was elected to the presidential post in

2002 unanimously and in a rare show of unity by the two

large parties in India

Abdul Kalam was the youngest of four brothers and one

sister He was born into a relatively poor Muslim Tamil

family ndash his father Jainulabudeen was a boat owner and the

imam of a small local mosque His mother Ashiamma was

a housewife Through hard work he won a scholarship to

study Aerospace Engineering at the Madras Institute of

Technology He worked at the Indian Space Research

Organisation (ISRO) where he was part of the team that

helped to deploy the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in

1980 Building on his scientific background Abdul Kalam

also served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime

Minister between 1992-1999

During his 5 year tenure as president Abdul Kalam

personified dignity and spread optimism during his travels

throughout India and abroad His stirring speeches at the

UN and the European Parliament are among the best ever

delivered His simplicity in oration and action were

applauded and endeared him to all those who listened

PRESIDENTthe peoplersquos

A T R I B U T E T O A B D U L K A L A M B Y G E E T H A M E N O N

Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than running after swift but synthetic happiness

9

1931 - 2015

On completing his single term as President he returned to a civilian life of education writing and public service devoting his

life to causes such as the nationrsquos poverty and continuing his passion as a scientist to promote Indiarsquos civilian space program

and pro-nuclear efforts He was the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Bharat Ratna Indias highest civilian

honour It was while he was delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong that Mr Kalam collapsed and

died from an apparent cardiac arrest on 27 July 2015 aged 83 The nation mourned the death of one of its finest ex-Presidents

and an exemplary civilian He was buried with full state honours at his hometown of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu

India never had a more beloved president and although his sudden passing left a nation bereaved it will long celebrate the life

of a man steeped in simplicity and the embodiment of the best that India can be KALA pays its respects to truly the peoplersquos

President

I do not know what time it is My husband Subu seems to

have fallen asleep or has he I can see only the top of his

head his hands crossed over the book he was reading with

the page facing down on his chest and his folded knees The

ranthal light is still burning He has a watch but I donrsquot want

to disturb him Why should I know the time There is no

reason I donrsquot think I will get a wink of sleep tonight The

swaying of this vallam should rock me to sleep in normal

circumstances but not tonight I am travelling to a world

unknown to me I donrsquot know what to expect tomorrow and I

am scared

This is my first long journey with my husband There was a

lot of objection from my amma and ammavan Behind their

backs my younger brother Kavunni was the only one who

was supportive Subursquos amma was not happy at all but she

knew that he being a modern man would do only what he

wanted You could say that Ilsquom eloping with my husband of

19 years The family thinks that I was going with him to

Ambalapuzha Parthasarathi Temple for a pooja The journey

started in a kettuvallam from our village Our horse cart will

be waiting for us in Kollam to take us all the way to

Thiruvananthapuram and finally I am going to live with him

This terrible pain has been twisting and crushing both inside

and outside of my being making me feel worthless for the

past 13 years - since the death of my little girl Devaki I was

so lucky to fall pregnant at the age of 14 five years after our

veli and a year after consummation of marriage She was so

beautiful so perfect

Chettan Pottirsquos antharjanam had not been able to conceive

after years of veli and she is desperate to bear a child for

the family They have to have a boy to continue the family

take over their vast property and to pass on the

responsibility of doing all lsquoafter deathrsquo rites for ancestors of

bygone ages Chechi antharjanam used to whisper in my ear

secretly that she did not mind having a girl or a boy I had

been showing off my belly to her - making her feel the life

inside me Have I been secretly taunting her

Being a second child Subu had the freedom of leaving

Vellimana to continue his education where as his older

brother had a bit more restriction to his lifestyle At the time

of our veli Subu having already passed the 4th standard

examination was a teacher in the Padayanar Kulangara

government primary school He could handle Malayalam

Tamil and Sanskrit well and was a voracious reader He

made me learn the languages and brought me lots of books

A couple of years after Devursquos death Subu left to join his

father who was a sub registrar in Vaikom and he passed his

English matriculation examination from Kottayam CMS

school Helsquos now working as a tutor in Maharajas College

Thiruvananthapuram after taking his BA degree from there I

wanted him to stay in the village with me but he could not

quench his thirst for further knowledge living in our small

village Or was it an escape from the deep sorrow of losing a

child

There was another ambition as well A dedicated teacher at

the age of 16 he was loved by his students Once a school

inspector came to the school for inspection unannounced

Subu was a bit late after thevaram The inspector asked a

student a question and the young teacher standing behind

the inspector could not help giving the little one a clue The

inspector said ldquoPotti you are not fit to be a teacher maybe

you are just good enough to be a temple priest Go and do

ambala santhirdquo He was so annoyed that he made a promise

to himself to become an inspector one day So that could be

another reason to get away from the village

He was lucky he could leave the village and go far away

from where it happened But I had to stay back facing the

monotonous life each day He wanted me to go with him but

that was not allowed by the Kshatriya or Namboothiri society

and their customs even though you were following your

husband ldquoCome with me Ambika you donrsquot have to feel

guiltyrdquo he said I was very young and having heard of no one

leaving home before was not bold enough to go against my

mother and uncle So my life went on around our temple a

ldquoThat was the worst day of my life

13 long years agohelliprdquo

DAWNA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y S E T H U L E K S H M Y N A I R

towards a new

Sethulekshmy is a retired gynaecologist In her spare time she is a keen writer and artist as well as a doting ammumma to Bodhi and Tulsi

10

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

handful of cousins and kitchen and reading books until now

I was very lonely Often I hold my barren and cursed belly

and cry in solitude Subu came to me whenever he could

but that was not very often or enough for me If only I had

another child

That was the worst day in my life 13 long years ago Devu

was only 1frac12 years old and came running to me saying that

she was hungry I was busy in the kitchen getting the lunch

ready with amma I said ldquoCome and have a drink of my

milkrdquo She moved my rouka away and suckled When she

was satisfied she covered me I put the wooden spoon

down gave her a quick cuddle and kiss and said ldquoOff you

go dear and play Once ammarsquos hands are free I will find

you and play with yourdquo

Rice was ready to be drained and then I heard someone

shouting ldquoambotti amma kunjurdquo It was from the pond

side and I rushed outside Devu had fallen into the pond

How did she get there I had no idea Velu who was on the

top of the coconut palm heard something falling into the

water He saw the cart he had made for her that morning on

the side of the pond By the time I came out he had dived

into the water and had lifted her limp body up I just stood

there helpless unable to move Kavunni had taken over and

tried to help her to breath My body and mind went still and I

was unaware of what followed Next thing I remember was

hearing Subursquos sorrowful voice saying ldquoAmbika our Devu

has left us forever a gift given to us only for a short time

Do you want to come and see herrdquo

He supported me to get up and walk There she was in the

nalukettu all wrapped up in white cloth looking ever so

peaceful and beautiful with a burning nilavilakku by her side

I fainted again

Devursquos little face flashes in my mind whenever I think of

another child After each of Subursquos visit I offer a thumba

flower garland to Lord Siva asking for his blessings for a

child but then a couple of weeks later my hope perishes

Lord Siva has had lots of garlands from me Prayers were

the only one thing I could do and hope kept me going Subu

wrote the first Malayalam vilapa kavyam after her death He

has read it to me so many times and together we cry

reading it The pain we feel is beyond any explanation

For the past one year Subu has been gently persuading me

to go and live with him in Thiruvananthapuram He says

there is a big hospital in Thycaud where womenrsquos problems

are taken care of The hospital is run by white nurses and

doctors from England I believe that they will check me over

and say if I can have a child Amma antharjanam has been

giving chechi antharjanam and me ayurveda medicines

straight from her back garden to make us conceive for years

now If Lord Siva and she canrsquot help how can these white

doctors It took a year for Subu to make me say yes Only

yesterday he told me what these people might do to me

There was no turning back then All travel arrangements

have been made secretly between Subu and Kavunni

I am totally scared My trust is in my loving husband and the

Lord I cannot sleep at all I closed my eyes tight and said to

myself ldquothis is what I would do tomorrow just see my Lord

in my inner mind and offer him

another thumba garlandrdquo I felt a

pair of hands touching my

shivering tiny body He held

my hands in his big warm hands

and whispered ldquoWelsquore going to

have children lots of them

Their tiny noises will fill the

walls of your kovilakam again

Do not give up hope Now get

some sleep before dawnrdquo It was

very comforting but I know that

both of us will not get any sleep

tonight He dimmed the ranthal

light and the vallam swayed to

the rhythm of waves may be

towards a fresh dawn in my life

11

M A N A S I J A N A D A R A N

Manasi is in Year 11 at Trivandrum International School After many years of living in the UK she moved back to Kerala with her parents three years ago

I wake up at around seven in the weekends to see the stunning

Aakulam Lake surrounded by a dense canopy of coconut palms

After staring at the picturesque view for a couple of minutes I

climb out of bed and get dressed before heading down to see

whatrsquos for breakfast

After the usual disappointment in finding out that breakfast is the

regular omelette and fried banana I go down to the pool

Though itrsquos the morning the water is still warm because of the

unbearable heat outside and I still have time to do a few laps

before the sun rises fully

After swimming Irsquom forced to sit down and study for an hour or

two with the inevitable breaks in between These sessions are

impossible to avoid given that every child even a ten year old

has to write exams every month

Lunch is as usual rice dahl and thoran Some people may find

this a wonderful combination but personally for me itrsquos just a little

repetitive After lunch I have to take a twenty minute drive

towards the city

Many might believe a car journey is a peaceful time to relax and

stare out at the beautiful scenery outside but not here Any

opportunity I get to let my thoughts wander is disrupted by the

constant blaring of horns Though the ride is short I still

encounter several near death experiences as a cause of

reckless driving before arriving at my destination

I spend the next few hours in the city with my friends Usually we

pass the time in a restaurant or a cafeacute (no bowling alleys or ice-

skating rings in Trivandrum) often chatting about the unbearable

heat or the new shopping mall that is supposedly being built

Dinner is often spent at my cousinsrsquo house I spend the night

running around playing football and waiting for the food to cook

(rice again) Finally when we all sit at the table and begin eating

the peaceful atmosphere is disrupted by a few screams as we

see a lizard darting under the table After a few rounds of

running around the table trying to catch it we settle down again

to finish the meal

Lying in bed I often think about how the day has been Though

my average day here is pretty crazy and filled with unpleasant

surprises it makes my life much more interesting Itrsquos almost too

easy to fall asleephellipuntil a storm hits and the monsoon rain is

lashes against the window making sleeping a little harder

in theDAY LIFEa ofhellip

12

THE WORLD THROUGH KUMBAKARNANrsquoS EYEShellip

STRIPhellipthe cartoon

BY GEETHA MENON

for

ARTrsquoS SAKEB Y A N I T A P U L I Y A N K A L A T H

Many of us from Kerala are exposed to the creative arts in

some form or the other But how many of us know about

mural wall painting ndash the transformation of an uninteresting

surface wall to an unforgettable artistic experience How

many of us have seen these wall paintings amp wondered at

their timeless beauty intricate design and rich vibrant

colours

For the uninitiated a traditional Kerala mural is a painting

mainly seen on the walls ceilings of temples and palaces

They depict mostly gods goddesses saints kings nature

and scenes from our epics and Indian mythology It is an

exquisite art form

Do we know how these are created In the traditional style

of mural painting only vegetable colours and natural

pigments are used These can all be sourced locally in

Kerala

The first step in mural art is the meticulous preparation of

the wall The wall is prepared with a rough plastering of lime

and sand mixed with the juice of kadukkai or chunnambvelli

dissolved with palm sugar A smooth plaster with ground

cotton is then applied After 10 days 25 to 30 coats of lime

and tender coconut water is applied till the thickness of the

coat is as thin as a tamarind leaf The mural is painted only

once the wall is completely dry

The five basic colours used in mural painting are yellow

ochre red sap green indigo blue and black The black

colour is made from soot taken from oil lamps A light yellow

colouring is used for sketching instead of pencil and the

piece is perfected with thin black lines The fine brushes

used are made from the delicate blades of arrow grass

lsquoEyyam Pullursquo found in the rural areas of Kerala

Only a skilled artist can work on them for hours and the

motifs are drawn from the lsquoDhyana Slokasrsquo verbal images of

the deities It is often believed that the artist has a divine

vision (lsquoDivya Dhirshtirsquo) which he transforms from his mindrsquos

eye to create a masterpiece using his deftly creative hands

Today one can see some of these exquisite murals in the

Shiva temple of Ettumanoor Guruvayoor temple near

Trichur Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Trivandrum

Churches at Cheppad Alappuzha the Ramayana Murals of

Mattancherry Palace and many more

However in present times in order to bring mural art closer

home many artists have used different materials like

plywood terracotta bamboo and canvass to paint murals

This enables ordinary people like us to appreciate its beauty

Commercial viability has made it possible for talented artists

to use acrylic colours on the Kerala saree shirts and

churidar tops to replicate some of the murals and today

many hotel lobbies and shopping malls are adorned with

beautiful artistic pieces of mural allowing the common man

to experience this sublime art form

So the next time you visit your hometown be sure to look out

for these gems of creation that will fill your soul with artistic

elation

Anita has a Masters Degree in Public Management University of Madras India and is married to Darshan a Marine Pilot They live in Kent and in her spare time she enjoys gardening music crosswords community development yoga and Aerobics

Mural by an artist Ms Geetha from Trivandrum

13

WRONG WITH ME

Age 18

ldquoWake up Greendale Itrsquos 6am Wake uprdquo

The shrill orders screeched at me from beyond my bedroom

door I remain still as if deaf to my wake up call Clutching

the thin salmon coloured covers I stretch my neck in an

attempt to relieve myself from the agonising pain of only

having one pillow to sleep on Slowly I force myself to open

my lazy eyes and stare intently at the grey walls All that is

left now is to listen to my roommate Lisa snore and mutter

to herself in her sleep Pushing myself up into a comfortable

seated position I allow my surroundings to embed

themselves on to my brain A cold room that is occupied by

two beds two sinks two desks and a few of Lisarsquos knitting

books I rest my back against the walls and close my eyes

It was easy to shut my eyes and get lost in the never-

ending pitted blackness that conquered my eyelids

Sometimes I never wanted to open them Itrsquos my escape A

world that I can actually call mine I wallow in what feels like

silky black sheets and envisage a world where I can run

freely with no inhibitions The black fades seamlessly into a

green field dotted with idyllic flowers My neurons create the

feeling of the soles of my feet grazing against the ground as

I pelt through the field feeling the pulse of wind on my

cheek Liberation I donrsquot ever want to open my eyes I want

to stay in this world where I can control every minute detail

to a tee I am physics Without mercy for my soulrsquos rest a

heavy hand clouts upon my unsuspecting shoulder and

opening my eyes I see Lisa her eyes fixated on me Her

blonde short curly hair dishevelled and her eyelashes

coated thick in sleep What appeared to be unkempt

appearance was merely insanity masking the true beauty

beneath

I watched Lisa rub her eyes and sluggishly put on her white

plimsolls Despite being undernourished her scrawny body

moved as if she had masses of weight to carry the burden

of her emotional angst bringing her down Lisa looked at me

as if to say lsquoget a move onrsquo Cracking a half-hearted smile I

stared at my own white plimsolls at the foot of my bed They

seemed so far away so unreachable With a struggle I

stretched across and reached out for them

ldquoGreendale patients It is 630am Breakfast is in 10

minutesrdquo

It was time to get ready for the day ahead My heart

plummeted into the pit of my stomach and a wave of nausea

threw its slurry northward I felt the weight of my head on my

shoulders and slowly but surely my eyes started to fill up

with salty tears This is my life

ldquoYou readyrdquo asked Lisa Nodding I followed her out of

Room 13

My name is Elizabeth Mary Margaret and I am a Greendale

Psychiatric Institute patient

mdashmdashmdash

Age 12

This is my story The story of how a normal girl ended up in

a psychiatric ward (normal being the operative word) It all

began when I was 12 a tender adolescent teenager facing

the usual trials and tribulations that came with the age I

always knew that I was different to the other girls Whilst

they worried about their bodies and boys I worried about the

darker things in life things that would make your skin crawl

Infatuated by the mind of a murderer the motives of a rapist

the depression of an alcoholic I would allow myself to

wander hopelessly in their shoes Some may call it intuition

a natural curiosity for the darker things unknown but from a

very young age I knew that mine was no innocent interest

but a cynical unforgiving obsession An obsessive need that

I possessed compounded with jealousy

On the 12th April 1994 my life started to take a downward

spiral into the pits of my own dark unimaginable thoughts It

was my 12th birthday and what started of with cake and

presents quickly turned ugly as I had an encounter with the

A S H O R T S T O R Y B Y N E E T U N A I R

there is nothing

Neetu is currently finishing her degree in English Language amp Communication from Oxford Brookes University She is a keen writer and hopes to work in Forensics where she can combine her love of investigating crimes with her passion for writing

14

neighbourrsquos cat As my mother entertained party guests I

slowly slipped to the back of my garden where I would often

retreat to watch a busy ant farm I had created I took care

and had meticulously planned how my ant farm was to look

After three weeks of hard work I had reached my goal

Tending to them everyday I worked up a sweat making sure

they were all okay and as today was my birthday I decided to

spend as much time with them as possible Squatting down

next to them I watched them work and as I slowly became

engrossed in studying their movements Misty the

neighbourrsquos tabby walked over them ruining all my hard

work I remember how I felt clearly a huge rush of heat

overcoming my body My cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tears I clenched my fists and watched Misty as she

graciously ruined my masterpiece without a care in the

world It was unforgivable and cruel and as my mother

coined it ldquobad behaviourrdquo

I glared at Misty at which point my feline foe was staring

right back at me She was relentless in my eyes and her

ldquobad behaviourrdquo meant she had to pay Glancing back at my

mum confirming her attention was not on me I quickly

swiped the cat and ran into my wendy house where I

slammed her to the ground and bludgeoned her with a rock

killing her for what she did to my ant farm

To my dismay my mother saw Mistyrsquos dead body laying

under my hat that evening as she was cleaning up after my

party From then on I was summoned to counselling

mdashmdashmdash

Age 13

A year later I was branching into dangerous territory and

felt no guilt for my actions I wanted to cease mankind be

the last woman standing I wanted to be alone in complete

isolation For the past year I had mutilated over twelve

animals and my counsellor had referred me to a doctor who

was assigned to ldquodiagnoserdquo me Nothing was wrong with me

mdashmdashmdash

Age 17

ldquoElizabeth would you come down hererdquo my mother called

up to my room

My mother Jeanette Jane Margaret was a woman of great

standards She believed in keeping up appearances and

was bitterly ashamed of me She would never take me out

for I was a disturbed child and on the rare occasion she did I

would always end up ldquomisbehavingrdquo Mother believed in old-

fashioned customs banning me to my room when I was

naughty was a regularity in this household She did not want

to ever believe that something was wrong with me she

called it a phase The last four years had been turmoil for I

had done things that nightmares were made of I had

bludgeoned animals pushed my sister down the stairs in

rage lit my motherrsquos favourite dress on fire and been

excluded from school

But nothing was wrong with me I was just different

Misunderstood ldquoYesrdquo I asked monotonously avoiding eye

contact

ldquoDr Keele called He is making a house callrdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo

ldquoOh for heavens sake Elizabethrdquo my mothers voice trembled

with frustration fused with sadness

Dr Keele made regular house calls each one intensifying my

confusion

ldquoWhyrdquo I pushed for an answer

ldquoElizabeth you are ruining this familyrdquo Her harsh words

violently pierced my heart I stared back at her into her soul

She was evil she did not understand me

ldquoRuining this family This picture perfect family Howrdquo I

said containing my anger

ldquoHow HOW You are really going to stand there and ask

me such stupid questions I have tried to be patient tried to

listen and guide you But you do wrong You wonrsquot learn

Hiding you in this house for the past five years was a

mistake You are not normal Elizabeth Itrsquos time for a

changerdquo

ldquoA change What sort of changerdquo

ldquoYou need help For as long as I can remember you have

ldquoMy cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tearshelliprdquo

15

been hurting those around you Family friendshellipanimalsrdquo

My motherrsquos words cut me like a knife a sharp pain took

over my body It was anger it was hot and ready to unleash

itrsquos fire breathing dragon to burn her for her insolence

Nothing was wrong with me

At that moment Dr Keele rang the doorbell He was a

dishevelled looking man whose outward unkempt

appearance was no reflection of his intelligent mind I had

respect for him and he was the only one who would talk to

me in a free manner holding no fear in his facial expression

As my mother set down a cup of tea for him he began to

speak

ldquoElizabeth you are looking wellrdquo

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I was drained My

hair was up in a messy ponytail my glasses slipping off the

bridge of my nose It was 4pm and I was still in my pyjamas

Dr Keele was obviously trying to ease the tension in the

room with cheap insincere flattery

For a moment time stood still It was silent and I could feel

motherrsquos eyes on me like a hawk watching its prey Dr Keele

sighed as he took a sip of his tea and as he placed the cup

onto the table he started to rub his temples Leaning

forward he gave a warm smile bearing all of his pearly

whites He stared at me Some would say that the silence

was unbearable and awkward but I basked in it It was a

time that I had to just be and even though I knew I was the

subject of scrutiny it felt peaceful that no one was talking to

me or rather at me My mind drifted off into its own world

I imagined myself sitting in a park alone There were no

other children with me I watched the swings move back and

forth bouncing off the winds power The sky was grey and

the flowers had all wilted It was heaven As I looked around

the park it seemed simply beautiful that such tranquillity was

so easily achieved I examined every corner of the park and

could not help but feel excitement at how perfect it was As I

looked to the playground I noticed that a foul loathsome

creature interrupted the ambience I had created It was a

rabbit Blasted animals I slowly made my way over to the

four-legged freak I could not fathom how people deemed

this ghastly looking thing as cute and with that I swung my

leg back and kicked it in the neck Music came in the form of

its neck breaking as I had injured it Good I sat there

smiling to myself and the power I had held over this pathetic

defenceless creature

Suddenly I felt my mind slip out of this stream of

consciousness I had indulged in I realised that I was sitting

in my living room opposite Dr Keele and mother and a good

five minutes had gone and it was completely silent This was

an abnormality and instantly I knew something was wrong

At once I snapped back into the room and found mother and

Dr Keele whispering together I hated whispering it was

rude and unmannerly Dr Keele noticed that I wasnrsquot day

dreaming anymore

ldquoAh Elizabeth I am glad to see yoursquore backrdquo

I winced I could tell he was lying he was a doctor and this

was a job He was not ldquogladrdquo to see I was back he was

being superfluous

ldquoI expect you are wondering why it has been so quiet for so

longrdquo Dr Keele asked full of hope

ldquoNordquo I monotonously responded

ldquoElizabeth you are special and you have the ability to be

moulded into a wonderful woman You know that your

mother has been having a lot of trouble with you over the

past couple of years with your behavioural problems and I

havenrsquot seemed to knuckle down on a diagnosis for this

conduct you embodyrdquo

16

ldquoThere is nothing wrong with merdquo

ldquoOf courserdquo Dr Keele attempted to console me ldquoThere is

indeed nothing wrong with you but as your doctor I need to

do what is best for you and your motherrdquo I did not like

where this was going

ldquoSo after speaking to a few doctors at the surgery I think it

would be beneficial for you to go to a special place for a few

months to really tackle this issuerdquo

Dr Keele coined the term ldquospecialrdquo as if I was 10 years old

and naiumlve enough to fall for his gentle tone when in fact it

was annoyingly patronising

ldquoGreendale Psychiatric Institute is a lovely place not far

from here It will help pull the reigns in on this problem

There is a room waiting for you and a roommate called Lisa

too You will have a blast and better yet you will be

happierrdquo

ldquoYou will be normal Lizrdquo my mother uttered

I will be normal I will be normal I will be normal No matter

how many times I replayed that word in my head it did not

make sense to me I was normal and it was demeaning of

my mother to use this mundane word as criteria she needed

my personality to hit It was demoralising and slowly I felt

the pain and anger in me boil to temperatures unknown

This woman had carried me for nine months essentially

brought me up and she had the nerve to stop treating me

like her child but rather some abnormal science project

She prodded at my feelings dissected my emotional hold on

life and burnt my will to live She did not understand me no

one did No one could gauge how difficult this was and how

burdened I felt

I will not go to Greendale I will not I will not I will not I was

determined

Unfortunately my determination was not enough Three

days later I was taken there kicking and screaming As the

taxi made its way down the path I caught sight of my

motherrsquos somewhat uplifted demeanour I could not distract

myself from the sense of relief that I had bestowed upon her

face It was heart-breaking that my mother my own flesh

and blood was so elated to see me go

mdashmdashmdash

Age 18

Present day Greendale

Breakfast was over and I traipsed back to my room Lisa

had a knitting lesson and I was lucky to be alone for an

hour I sat down on my bed causing the steel frame to

creak with agony I closed my eyes and felt my tears run

down my cheek I looked at myself in the mirror What I had

come to I was a beaten down run over person I was lost

and confused and my life had pushed me to boundaries I

did not know existed I could not do this anymore As I

reflected on my life I realised how little those around me

knew I felt no guilt for motherrsquos pain Keelersquos frustration and

for all the animals I tortured I guess this was Godrsquos way of

toying with me giving me less freedom than an animal The

four walls closed in on me and my body shook with fear I

needed to stop I needed to be free

Ripping a piece of paper out of my notebook I racked my

mind for words With a shaky hand I wrote

Mother

There was is nothing wrong with me

Elizabeth

Clasping the paper in my hand I carefully lay it on my

pillow I was ready for a change I was ready for a different

life where I did not need to deal with judging eyes and

whispering behind my back Slowly I stood on my chair and

looped my jogging bottoms round the curtain rail I tied it

around my neck feeling the waistline dig into it Smite me

almighty smiter

With that I closed my eyes and told myself I was ready

Stepping off I felt my lungs struggle I felt my legs kick

frantically I was panicking as life ebbed slowly from my

body I could have stopped it but I didnrsquot

For I needed change

17

LET GOhellipA P O E M B Y S O W M Y A K R I S H N A N

The flowers whispered a silent word

The hum in your ears was so unheard

The clouds too listened and shed a tear

The pain of separation is an intimate fear

The time of ever having to let go

The very moment when you try not to show

The emptiness your heart a bottomless pit

That spark in your eye no more seems lit

But the most painful part yet to come

They left you their faces still blossomed with fun

Just as much as you seemed shattered

To them it looked like it hardly mattered

Embracing each other they walked away

You grappled for a reason to make them stay

But then you saw you were alone in this

They didnrsquot seem to find anything amiss

You desired to see those smiling faces once more

Faces you used to see everyday at your door

Yoursquod held them so close once upon a time

But now ask yourself ldquoWere they ever really minerdquo

Its time to turn away too just leave them be

Maybe you saw a bond that they couldnrsquot see

A bond they didnrsquot mind breaking so

Yes theyrsquore not yours just let go

-SK

by Aswathy Kumar

Sowmya is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has recently moved to Chester to join her husband Prashant Menon who she married in December 2014 She has always enjoyed writing poetry and wishes she had more time to devote to it

18

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

All the worlds a stage

And all the men and women merely players

They have their exits and their entrances

And one man in his time plays many parts

-William Shakespeare As You Like It Act II Scene VII

When the Bard of Avon penned these words he would not have

imagined that it could be literally interpreted as a call for creative

fusion with cultural boundaries becoming fuzzy and media of

expressions getting mixed That is what the 2015 recipient of

Kalapuraskaram has achieved Dr Ettumanoor P Kannan whom

The Indian Express described as a dangerous mind melds the

kinesics of Kathakali with the poetry of Shakespearean tragedy

He does so without compromising the Bards words or the rules

of Kathakali

Shakespeare is not new to Kathakali in 1999 Australian

playwright-director David McRuvie and French actor- dancer

Annette Leday brought Kathakali King Lear to the Globe

Theatre Margi Madhu the first recipient of Kalapuraskaram

systematised Macbeth for Kathakali The tragedy of Macbeth

was Kannanrsquos choice when he first decided to adapt

Shakespeare to the idiom of Kathakali at Pennsylvania in 2001

It is no wonder too since among the four great Shakespearean

tragedies Macbeth is the one nearest to the elements of the

great Greek tragedies with the human struggle to outwit their

fate and it is also near to the Indian epics the source of many

great Kathakali stories where the pivotal agents are often

feminine A trained Clinical Psychologist Kannan may have

been drawn to Macbeth with its rich tapestry of psychodrama

His interest in the psychology of the characters may have

influenced his choice of Cholliyaattam over Kathakali as his

medium of expression

The only difference between Cholliyaattam and Kathakali is the

absence of costume and heavy makeup Kannan finds that to

the uninitiated the costume can be a distraction With that

distraction removed Kannan can explore and expose the mental

landscape of the Macbeths as they play out their tragic tale

When it was first staged the Macbeth Cholliyaattam Kannan

was accompanied on the stage by a female actor as Lady

Macbeth Then after a hiatus of 12 years he presented it to a

Keralan audience as a solo performance One result of going

solo is the sense of alienation from the characters that evolves

during the performance while at the same time increasing

preoccupation with the techniques In other words the performer

turns auteur and with that Kannan places his personal stamp on

this art form

Born in 1968 Kannan started his Kathakali training at the early

age of nine For the next 22 years he trained in Kalluvazhi

(Northern) style under great and celebrated masters like

Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharodi (disciple of Padmasree

Vazhenkata Kunchunair) Kalanilayam Mohankumar (disciple of

Guru Kalamandalam Kuttan) and Padmasree Mani Madhava

Chakyar Versatility of Kannan can be perceived in the multiple

personae he presents the Performer the Academician the

Lecturer and the Director In Kathakali Kannan shines in pacha

and kathi roles Perhaps Kannanrsquos uniqueness lies in his

treatment of Kathakali academically and translating it for the

foreign audience As a Director he is adept both in traditional

forms of Kathakali theatre as well as transcending it into post

modern theatre Beyond Kathakali Kannan conducts courses in

personality development incorporating aspects of Yoga and has

his own system called Joyous Internal Awareness and

Management for the success of younger generations

His talent received its first recognition when he was twelve and

won the first prize for Kathakali in the State Youth Festival He

went on to win it for the next three years also

Since then he has won many more awards

KALA is really proud to present this

versatile artist the 2015

Kalapuraskaram for his outstanding

and innovative contribution to

Cholliyattam

ETTUMANOOR P KANNANcholliyaattam on a global stage

B Y P R O F E S S O R G O P A L A K R I S H N A N N E T U V E L I

kala puraskaramwinner 2015

7

GEORGIAN CLOSEA P O E M B Y K A M A L A D A S

no 11

The world renowned Kamala Das who passed away in 2009 was a prolific and much admired Malayali author and poet known for her brave and forthright writing both in

Malayalam and in English She wrote this unpublished poem while staying with her cousin Indira and Sethu Menon (former KALA members) during a visit to England in 1994 on

invitation from Southbank Centre in London to read her poems at the International Poetry Festival

In sleepy Crawley

No11 Georgian Close was

the oasis where as a weary traveller

I paused to pitch my tent

Winter had arrived there

cat-treaded and had laid its paw

on the fish pond glazing its skin

and wilting the lilies one by one

The roses curled inwards then

as fists clenched in fear

and quite often the fog lingered long

over the red bricked neighbourhood

I was a total wreck

to say the very least

sailing so long on unchartered seas

confronting the turbulence of the swell

the sun had settled in my eyes

and a fatigue slumbered in my soul

Winter nuzzled the window panes

of No11 Georgian Close

but a perpetual summer dwelt within

cradling the strays the homesick ones

in unaccustomed warmth

Sethu and Indira were so adept at

putting their guest at ease

From the debris of emotional storms

from the rubble and the dust

hope rose again as sap must inevitably rise

within trees in the wake of a winter

however harsh and cold

Photo of the Menonsrsquo garden which inspired Kamala Dasrsquo poem

8

These were the wise and motivating words of Avul Pakir

Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam or APJ Abdul Kalam as he was

better known As Indiarsquos eleventh president Kalam ignited

minds and was popularly referred to as the lsquoPeoplersquos

Presidentrsquo Although never groomed for a political career it

was through sheer hard work and significant achievements

as a scientist that he was elected to the presidential post in

2002 unanimously and in a rare show of unity by the two

large parties in India

Abdul Kalam was the youngest of four brothers and one

sister He was born into a relatively poor Muslim Tamil

family ndash his father Jainulabudeen was a boat owner and the

imam of a small local mosque His mother Ashiamma was

a housewife Through hard work he won a scholarship to

study Aerospace Engineering at the Madras Institute of

Technology He worked at the Indian Space Research

Organisation (ISRO) where he was part of the team that

helped to deploy the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in

1980 Building on his scientific background Abdul Kalam

also served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime

Minister between 1992-1999

During his 5 year tenure as president Abdul Kalam

personified dignity and spread optimism during his travels

throughout India and abroad His stirring speeches at the

UN and the European Parliament are among the best ever

delivered His simplicity in oration and action were

applauded and endeared him to all those who listened

PRESIDENTthe peoplersquos

A T R I B U T E T O A B D U L K A L A M B Y G E E T H A M E N O N

Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than running after swift but synthetic happiness

9

1931 - 2015

On completing his single term as President he returned to a civilian life of education writing and public service devoting his

life to causes such as the nationrsquos poverty and continuing his passion as a scientist to promote Indiarsquos civilian space program

and pro-nuclear efforts He was the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Bharat Ratna Indias highest civilian

honour It was while he was delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong that Mr Kalam collapsed and

died from an apparent cardiac arrest on 27 July 2015 aged 83 The nation mourned the death of one of its finest ex-Presidents

and an exemplary civilian He was buried with full state honours at his hometown of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu

India never had a more beloved president and although his sudden passing left a nation bereaved it will long celebrate the life

of a man steeped in simplicity and the embodiment of the best that India can be KALA pays its respects to truly the peoplersquos

President

I do not know what time it is My husband Subu seems to

have fallen asleep or has he I can see only the top of his

head his hands crossed over the book he was reading with

the page facing down on his chest and his folded knees The

ranthal light is still burning He has a watch but I donrsquot want

to disturb him Why should I know the time There is no

reason I donrsquot think I will get a wink of sleep tonight The

swaying of this vallam should rock me to sleep in normal

circumstances but not tonight I am travelling to a world

unknown to me I donrsquot know what to expect tomorrow and I

am scared

This is my first long journey with my husband There was a

lot of objection from my amma and ammavan Behind their

backs my younger brother Kavunni was the only one who

was supportive Subursquos amma was not happy at all but she

knew that he being a modern man would do only what he

wanted You could say that Ilsquom eloping with my husband of

19 years The family thinks that I was going with him to

Ambalapuzha Parthasarathi Temple for a pooja The journey

started in a kettuvallam from our village Our horse cart will

be waiting for us in Kollam to take us all the way to

Thiruvananthapuram and finally I am going to live with him

This terrible pain has been twisting and crushing both inside

and outside of my being making me feel worthless for the

past 13 years - since the death of my little girl Devaki I was

so lucky to fall pregnant at the age of 14 five years after our

veli and a year after consummation of marriage She was so

beautiful so perfect

Chettan Pottirsquos antharjanam had not been able to conceive

after years of veli and she is desperate to bear a child for

the family They have to have a boy to continue the family

take over their vast property and to pass on the

responsibility of doing all lsquoafter deathrsquo rites for ancestors of

bygone ages Chechi antharjanam used to whisper in my ear

secretly that she did not mind having a girl or a boy I had

been showing off my belly to her - making her feel the life

inside me Have I been secretly taunting her

Being a second child Subu had the freedom of leaving

Vellimana to continue his education where as his older

brother had a bit more restriction to his lifestyle At the time

of our veli Subu having already passed the 4th standard

examination was a teacher in the Padayanar Kulangara

government primary school He could handle Malayalam

Tamil and Sanskrit well and was a voracious reader He

made me learn the languages and brought me lots of books

A couple of years after Devursquos death Subu left to join his

father who was a sub registrar in Vaikom and he passed his

English matriculation examination from Kottayam CMS

school Helsquos now working as a tutor in Maharajas College

Thiruvananthapuram after taking his BA degree from there I

wanted him to stay in the village with me but he could not

quench his thirst for further knowledge living in our small

village Or was it an escape from the deep sorrow of losing a

child

There was another ambition as well A dedicated teacher at

the age of 16 he was loved by his students Once a school

inspector came to the school for inspection unannounced

Subu was a bit late after thevaram The inspector asked a

student a question and the young teacher standing behind

the inspector could not help giving the little one a clue The

inspector said ldquoPotti you are not fit to be a teacher maybe

you are just good enough to be a temple priest Go and do

ambala santhirdquo He was so annoyed that he made a promise

to himself to become an inspector one day So that could be

another reason to get away from the village

He was lucky he could leave the village and go far away

from where it happened But I had to stay back facing the

monotonous life each day He wanted me to go with him but

that was not allowed by the Kshatriya or Namboothiri society

and their customs even though you were following your

husband ldquoCome with me Ambika you donrsquot have to feel

guiltyrdquo he said I was very young and having heard of no one

leaving home before was not bold enough to go against my

mother and uncle So my life went on around our temple a

ldquoThat was the worst day of my life

13 long years agohelliprdquo

DAWNA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y S E T H U L E K S H M Y N A I R

towards a new

Sethulekshmy is a retired gynaecologist In her spare time she is a keen writer and artist as well as a doting ammumma to Bodhi and Tulsi

10

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

handful of cousins and kitchen and reading books until now

I was very lonely Often I hold my barren and cursed belly

and cry in solitude Subu came to me whenever he could

but that was not very often or enough for me If only I had

another child

That was the worst day in my life 13 long years ago Devu

was only 1frac12 years old and came running to me saying that

she was hungry I was busy in the kitchen getting the lunch

ready with amma I said ldquoCome and have a drink of my

milkrdquo She moved my rouka away and suckled When she

was satisfied she covered me I put the wooden spoon

down gave her a quick cuddle and kiss and said ldquoOff you

go dear and play Once ammarsquos hands are free I will find

you and play with yourdquo

Rice was ready to be drained and then I heard someone

shouting ldquoambotti amma kunjurdquo It was from the pond

side and I rushed outside Devu had fallen into the pond

How did she get there I had no idea Velu who was on the

top of the coconut palm heard something falling into the

water He saw the cart he had made for her that morning on

the side of the pond By the time I came out he had dived

into the water and had lifted her limp body up I just stood

there helpless unable to move Kavunni had taken over and

tried to help her to breath My body and mind went still and I

was unaware of what followed Next thing I remember was

hearing Subursquos sorrowful voice saying ldquoAmbika our Devu

has left us forever a gift given to us only for a short time

Do you want to come and see herrdquo

He supported me to get up and walk There she was in the

nalukettu all wrapped up in white cloth looking ever so

peaceful and beautiful with a burning nilavilakku by her side

I fainted again

Devursquos little face flashes in my mind whenever I think of

another child After each of Subursquos visit I offer a thumba

flower garland to Lord Siva asking for his blessings for a

child but then a couple of weeks later my hope perishes

Lord Siva has had lots of garlands from me Prayers were

the only one thing I could do and hope kept me going Subu

wrote the first Malayalam vilapa kavyam after her death He

has read it to me so many times and together we cry

reading it The pain we feel is beyond any explanation

For the past one year Subu has been gently persuading me

to go and live with him in Thiruvananthapuram He says

there is a big hospital in Thycaud where womenrsquos problems

are taken care of The hospital is run by white nurses and

doctors from England I believe that they will check me over

and say if I can have a child Amma antharjanam has been

giving chechi antharjanam and me ayurveda medicines

straight from her back garden to make us conceive for years

now If Lord Siva and she canrsquot help how can these white

doctors It took a year for Subu to make me say yes Only

yesterday he told me what these people might do to me

There was no turning back then All travel arrangements

have been made secretly between Subu and Kavunni

I am totally scared My trust is in my loving husband and the

Lord I cannot sleep at all I closed my eyes tight and said to

myself ldquothis is what I would do tomorrow just see my Lord

in my inner mind and offer him

another thumba garlandrdquo I felt a

pair of hands touching my

shivering tiny body He held

my hands in his big warm hands

and whispered ldquoWelsquore going to

have children lots of them

Their tiny noises will fill the

walls of your kovilakam again

Do not give up hope Now get

some sleep before dawnrdquo It was

very comforting but I know that

both of us will not get any sleep

tonight He dimmed the ranthal

light and the vallam swayed to

the rhythm of waves may be

towards a fresh dawn in my life

11

M A N A S I J A N A D A R A N

Manasi is in Year 11 at Trivandrum International School After many years of living in the UK she moved back to Kerala with her parents three years ago

I wake up at around seven in the weekends to see the stunning

Aakulam Lake surrounded by a dense canopy of coconut palms

After staring at the picturesque view for a couple of minutes I

climb out of bed and get dressed before heading down to see

whatrsquos for breakfast

After the usual disappointment in finding out that breakfast is the

regular omelette and fried banana I go down to the pool

Though itrsquos the morning the water is still warm because of the

unbearable heat outside and I still have time to do a few laps

before the sun rises fully

After swimming Irsquom forced to sit down and study for an hour or

two with the inevitable breaks in between These sessions are

impossible to avoid given that every child even a ten year old

has to write exams every month

Lunch is as usual rice dahl and thoran Some people may find

this a wonderful combination but personally for me itrsquos just a little

repetitive After lunch I have to take a twenty minute drive

towards the city

Many might believe a car journey is a peaceful time to relax and

stare out at the beautiful scenery outside but not here Any

opportunity I get to let my thoughts wander is disrupted by the

constant blaring of horns Though the ride is short I still

encounter several near death experiences as a cause of

reckless driving before arriving at my destination

I spend the next few hours in the city with my friends Usually we

pass the time in a restaurant or a cafeacute (no bowling alleys or ice-

skating rings in Trivandrum) often chatting about the unbearable

heat or the new shopping mall that is supposedly being built

Dinner is often spent at my cousinsrsquo house I spend the night

running around playing football and waiting for the food to cook

(rice again) Finally when we all sit at the table and begin eating

the peaceful atmosphere is disrupted by a few screams as we

see a lizard darting under the table After a few rounds of

running around the table trying to catch it we settle down again

to finish the meal

Lying in bed I often think about how the day has been Though

my average day here is pretty crazy and filled with unpleasant

surprises it makes my life much more interesting Itrsquos almost too

easy to fall asleephellipuntil a storm hits and the monsoon rain is

lashes against the window making sleeping a little harder

in theDAY LIFEa ofhellip

12

THE WORLD THROUGH KUMBAKARNANrsquoS EYEShellip

STRIPhellipthe cartoon

BY GEETHA MENON

for

ARTrsquoS SAKEB Y A N I T A P U L I Y A N K A L A T H

Many of us from Kerala are exposed to the creative arts in

some form or the other But how many of us know about

mural wall painting ndash the transformation of an uninteresting

surface wall to an unforgettable artistic experience How

many of us have seen these wall paintings amp wondered at

their timeless beauty intricate design and rich vibrant

colours

For the uninitiated a traditional Kerala mural is a painting

mainly seen on the walls ceilings of temples and palaces

They depict mostly gods goddesses saints kings nature

and scenes from our epics and Indian mythology It is an

exquisite art form

Do we know how these are created In the traditional style

of mural painting only vegetable colours and natural

pigments are used These can all be sourced locally in

Kerala

The first step in mural art is the meticulous preparation of

the wall The wall is prepared with a rough plastering of lime

and sand mixed with the juice of kadukkai or chunnambvelli

dissolved with palm sugar A smooth plaster with ground

cotton is then applied After 10 days 25 to 30 coats of lime

and tender coconut water is applied till the thickness of the

coat is as thin as a tamarind leaf The mural is painted only

once the wall is completely dry

The five basic colours used in mural painting are yellow

ochre red sap green indigo blue and black The black

colour is made from soot taken from oil lamps A light yellow

colouring is used for sketching instead of pencil and the

piece is perfected with thin black lines The fine brushes

used are made from the delicate blades of arrow grass

lsquoEyyam Pullursquo found in the rural areas of Kerala

Only a skilled artist can work on them for hours and the

motifs are drawn from the lsquoDhyana Slokasrsquo verbal images of

the deities It is often believed that the artist has a divine

vision (lsquoDivya Dhirshtirsquo) which he transforms from his mindrsquos

eye to create a masterpiece using his deftly creative hands

Today one can see some of these exquisite murals in the

Shiva temple of Ettumanoor Guruvayoor temple near

Trichur Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Trivandrum

Churches at Cheppad Alappuzha the Ramayana Murals of

Mattancherry Palace and many more

However in present times in order to bring mural art closer

home many artists have used different materials like

plywood terracotta bamboo and canvass to paint murals

This enables ordinary people like us to appreciate its beauty

Commercial viability has made it possible for talented artists

to use acrylic colours on the Kerala saree shirts and

churidar tops to replicate some of the murals and today

many hotel lobbies and shopping malls are adorned with

beautiful artistic pieces of mural allowing the common man

to experience this sublime art form

So the next time you visit your hometown be sure to look out

for these gems of creation that will fill your soul with artistic

elation

Anita has a Masters Degree in Public Management University of Madras India and is married to Darshan a Marine Pilot They live in Kent and in her spare time she enjoys gardening music crosswords community development yoga and Aerobics

Mural by an artist Ms Geetha from Trivandrum

13

WRONG WITH ME

Age 18

ldquoWake up Greendale Itrsquos 6am Wake uprdquo

The shrill orders screeched at me from beyond my bedroom

door I remain still as if deaf to my wake up call Clutching

the thin salmon coloured covers I stretch my neck in an

attempt to relieve myself from the agonising pain of only

having one pillow to sleep on Slowly I force myself to open

my lazy eyes and stare intently at the grey walls All that is

left now is to listen to my roommate Lisa snore and mutter

to herself in her sleep Pushing myself up into a comfortable

seated position I allow my surroundings to embed

themselves on to my brain A cold room that is occupied by

two beds two sinks two desks and a few of Lisarsquos knitting

books I rest my back against the walls and close my eyes

It was easy to shut my eyes and get lost in the never-

ending pitted blackness that conquered my eyelids

Sometimes I never wanted to open them Itrsquos my escape A

world that I can actually call mine I wallow in what feels like

silky black sheets and envisage a world where I can run

freely with no inhibitions The black fades seamlessly into a

green field dotted with idyllic flowers My neurons create the

feeling of the soles of my feet grazing against the ground as

I pelt through the field feeling the pulse of wind on my

cheek Liberation I donrsquot ever want to open my eyes I want

to stay in this world where I can control every minute detail

to a tee I am physics Without mercy for my soulrsquos rest a

heavy hand clouts upon my unsuspecting shoulder and

opening my eyes I see Lisa her eyes fixated on me Her

blonde short curly hair dishevelled and her eyelashes

coated thick in sleep What appeared to be unkempt

appearance was merely insanity masking the true beauty

beneath

I watched Lisa rub her eyes and sluggishly put on her white

plimsolls Despite being undernourished her scrawny body

moved as if she had masses of weight to carry the burden

of her emotional angst bringing her down Lisa looked at me

as if to say lsquoget a move onrsquo Cracking a half-hearted smile I

stared at my own white plimsolls at the foot of my bed They

seemed so far away so unreachable With a struggle I

stretched across and reached out for them

ldquoGreendale patients It is 630am Breakfast is in 10

minutesrdquo

It was time to get ready for the day ahead My heart

plummeted into the pit of my stomach and a wave of nausea

threw its slurry northward I felt the weight of my head on my

shoulders and slowly but surely my eyes started to fill up

with salty tears This is my life

ldquoYou readyrdquo asked Lisa Nodding I followed her out of

Room 13

My name is Elizabeth Mary Margaret and I am a Greendale

Psychiatric Institute patient

mdashmdashmdash

Age 12

This is my story The story of how a normal girl ended up in

a psychiatric ward (normal being the operative word) It all

began when I was 12 a tender adolescent teenager facing

the usual trials and tribulations that came with the age I

always knew that I was different to the other girls Whilst

they worried about their bodies and boys I worried about the

darker things in life things that would make your skin crawl

Infatuated by the mind of a murderer the motives of a rapist

the depression of an alcoholic I would allow myself to

wander hopelessly in their shoes Some may call it intuition

a natural curiosity for the darker things unknown but from a

very young age I knew that mine was no innocent interest

but a cynical unforgiving obsession An obsessive need that

I possessed compounded with jealousy

On the 12th April 1994 my life started to take a downward

spiral into the pits of my own dark unimaginable thoughts It

was my 12th birthday and what started of with cake and

presents quickly turned ugly as I had an encounter with the

A S H O R T S T O R Y B Y N E E T U N A I R

there is nothing

Neetu is currently finishing her degree in English Language amp Communication from Oxford Brookes University She is a keen writer and hopes to work in Forensics where she can combine her love of investigating crimes with her passion for writing

14

neighbourrsquos cat As my mother entertained party guests I

slowly slipped to the back of my garden where I would often

retreat to watch a busy ant farm I had created I took care

and had meticulously planned how my ant farm was to look

After three weeks of hard work I had reached my goal

Tending to them everyday I worked up a sweat making sure

they were all okay and as today was my birthday I decided to

spend as much time with them as possible Squatting down

next to them I watched them work and as I slowly became

engrossed in studying their movements Misty the

neighbourrsquos tabby walked over them ruining all my hard

work I remember how I felt clearly a huge rush of heat

overcoming my body My cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tears I clenched my fists and watched Misty as she

graciously ruined my masterpiece without a care in the

world It was unforgivable and cruel and as my mother

coined it ldquobad behaviourrdquo

I glared at Misty at which point my feline foe was staring

right back at me She was relentless in my eyes and her

ldquobad behaviourrdquo meant she had to pay Glancing back at my

mum confirming her attention was not on me I quickly

swiped the cat and ran into my wendy house where I

slammed her to the ground and bludgeoned her with a rock

killing her for what she did to my ant farm

To my dismay my mother saw Mistyrsquos dead body laying

under my hat that evening as she was cleaning up after my

party From then on I was summoned to counselling

mdashmdashmdash

Age 13

A year later I was branching into dangerous territory and

felt no guilt for my actions I wanted to cease mankind be

the last woman standing I wanted to be alone in complete

isolation For the past year I had mutilated over twelve

animals and my counsellor had referred me to a doctor who

was assigned to ldquodiagnoserdquo me Nothing was wrong with me

mdashmdashmdash

Age 17

ldquoElizabeth would you come down hererdquo my mother called

up to my room

My mother Jeanette Jane Margaret was a woman of great

standards She believed in keeping up appearances and

was bitterly ashamed of me She would never take me out

for I was a disturbed child and on the rare occasion she did I

would always end up ldquomisbehavingrdquo Mother believed in old-

fashioned customs banning me to my room when I was

naughty was a regularity in this household She did not want

to ever believe that something was wrong with me she

called it a phase The last four years had been turmoil for I

had done things that nightmares were made of I had

bludgeoned animals pushed my sister down the stairs in

rage lit my motherrsquos favourite dress on fire and been

excluded from school

But nothing was wrong with me I was just different

Misunderstood ldquoYesrdquo I asked monotonously avoiding eye

contact

ldquoDr Keele called He is making a house callrdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo

ldquoOh for heavens sake Elizabethrdquo my mothers voice trembled

with frustration fused with sadness

Dr Keele made regular house calls each one intensifying my

confusion

ldquoWhyrdquo I pushed for an answer

ldquoElizabeth you are ruining this familyrdquo Her harsh words

violently pierced my heart I stared back at her into her soul

She was evil she did not understand me

ldquoRuining this family This picture perfect family Howrdquo I

said containing my anger

ldquoHow HOW You are really going to stand there and ask

me such stupid questions I have tried to be patient tried to

listen and guide you But you do wrong You wonrsquot learn

Hiding you in this house for the past five years was a

mistake You are not normal Elizabeth Itrsquos time for a

changerdquo

ldquoA change What sort of changerdquo

ldquoYou need help For as long as I can remember you have

ldquoMy cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tearshelliprdquo

15

been hurting those around you Family friendshellipanimalsrdquo

My motherrsquos words cut me like a knife a sharp pain took

over my body It was anger it was hot and ready to unleash

itrsquos fire breathing dragon to burn her for her insolence

Nothing was wrong with me

At that moment Dr Keele rang the doorbell He was a

dishevelled looking man whose outward unkempt

appearance was no reflection of his intelligent mind I had

respect for him and he was the only one who would talk to

me in a free manner holding no fear in his facial expression

As my mother set down a cup of tea for him he began to

speak

ldquoElizabeth you are looking wellrdquo

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I was drained My

hair was up in a messy ponytail my glasses slipping off the

bridge of my nose It was 4pm and I was still in my pyjamas

Dr Keele was obviously trying to ease the tension in the

room with cheap insincere flattery

For a moment time stood still It was silent and I could feel

motherrsquos eyes on me like a hawk watching its prey Dr Keele

sighed as he took a sip of his tea and as he placed the cup

onto the table he started to rub his temples Leaning

forward he gave a warm smile bearing all of his pearly

whites He stared at me Some would say that the silence

was unbearable and awkward but I basked in it It was a

time that I had to just be and even though I knew I was the

subject of scrutiny it felt peaceful that no one was talking to

me or rather at me My mind drifted off into its own world

I imagined myself sitting in a park alone There were no

other children with me I watched the swings move back and

forth bouncing off the winds power The sky was grey and

the flowers had all wilted It was heaven As I looked around

the park it seemed simply beautiful that such tranquillity was

so easily achieved I examined every corner of the park and

could not help but feel excitement at how perfect it was As I

looked to the playground I noticed that a foul loathsome

creature interrupted the ambience I had created It was a

rabbit Blasted animals I slowly made my way over to the

four-legged freak I could not fathom how people deemed

this ghastly looking thing as cute and with that I swung my

leg back and kicked it in the neck Music came in the form of

its neck breaking as I had injured it Good I sat there

smiling to myself and the power I had held over this pathetic

defenceless creature

Suddenly I felt my mind slip out of this stream of

consciousness I had indulged in I realised that I was sitting

in my living room opposite Dr Keele and mother and a good

five minutes had gone and it was completely silent This was

an abnormality and instantly I knew something was wrong

At once I snapped back into the room and found mother and

Dr Keele whispering together I hated whispering it was

rude and unmannerly Dr Keele noticed that I wasnrsquot day

dreaming anymore

ldquoAh Elizabeth I am glad to see yoursquore backrdquo

I winced I could tell he was lying he was a doctor and this

was a job He was not ldquogladrdquo to see I was back he was

being superfluous

ldquoI expect you are wondering why it has been so quiet for so

longrdquo Dr Keele asked full of hope

ldquoNordquo I monotonously responded

ldquoElizabeth you are special and you have the ability to be

moulded into a wonderful woman You know that your

mother has been having a lot of trouble with you over the

past couple of years with your behavioural problems and I

havenrsquot seemed to knuckle down on a diagnosis for this

conduct you embodyrdquo

16

ldquoThere is nothing wrong with merdquo

ldquoOf courserdquo Dr Keele attempted to console me ldquoThere is

indeed nothing wrong with you but as your doctor I need to

do what is best for you and your motherrdquo I did not like

where this was going

ldquoSo after speaking to a few doctors at the surgery I think it

would be beneficial for you to go to a special place for a few

months to really tackle this issuerdquo

Dr Keele coined the term ldquospecialrdquo as if I was 10 years old

and naiumlve enough to fall for his gentle tone when in fact it

was annoyingly patronising

ldquoGreendale Psychiatric Institute is a lovely place not far

from here It will help pull the reigns in on this problem

There is a room waiting for you and a roommate called Lisa

too You will have a blast and better yet you will be

happierrdquo

ldquoYou will be normal Lizrdquo my mother uttered

I will be normal I will be normal I will be normal No matter

how many times I replayed that word in my head it did not

make sense to me I was normal and it was demeaning of

my mother to use this mundane word as criteria she needed

my personality to hit It was demoralising and slowly I felt

the pain and anger in me boil to temperatures unknown

This woman had carried me for nine months essentially

brought me up and she had the nerve to stop treating me

like her child but rather some abnormal science project

She prodded at my feelings dissected my emotional hold on

life and burnt my will to live She did not understand me no

one did No one could gauge how difficult this was and how

burdened I felt

I will not go to Greendale I will not I will not I will not I was

determined

Unfortunately my determination was not enough Three

days later I was taken there kicking and screaming As the

taxi made its way down the path I caught sight of my

motherrsquos somewhat uplifted demeanour I could not distract

myself from the sense of relief that I had bestowed upon her

face It was heart-breaking that my mother my own flesh

and blood was so elated to see me go

mdashmdashmdash

Age 18

Present day Greendale

Breakfast was over and I traipsed back to my room Lisa

had a knitting lesson and I was lucky to be alone for an

hour I sat down on my bed causing the steel frame to

creak with agony I closed my eyes and felt my tears run

down my cheek I looked at myself in the mirror What I had

come to I was a beaten down run over person I was lost

and confused and my life had pushed me to boundaries I

did not know existed I could not do this anymore As I

reflected on my life I realised how little those around me

knew I felt no guilt for motherrsquos pain Keelersquos frustration and

for all the animals I tortured I guess this was Godrsquos way of

toying with me giving me less freedom than an animal The

four walls closed in on me and my body shook with fear I

needed to stop I needed to be free

Ripping a piece of paper out of my notebook I racked my

mind for words With a shaky hand I wrote

Mother

There was is nothing wrong with me

Elizabeth

Clasping the paper in my hand I carefully lay it on my

pillow I was ready for a change I was ready for a different

life where I did not need to deal with judging eyes and

whispering behind my back Slowly I stood on my chair and

looped my jogging bottoms round the curtain rail I tied it

around my neck feeling the waistline dig into it Smite me

almighty smiter

With that I closed my eyes and told myself I was ready

Stepping off I felt my lungs struggle I felt my legs kick

frantically I was panicking as life ebbed slowly from my

body I could have stopped it but I didnrsquot

For I needed change

17

LET GOhellipA P O E M B Y S O W M Y A K R I S H N A N

The flowers whispered a silent word

The hum in your ears was so unheard

The clouds too listened and shed a tear

The pain of separation is an intimate fear

The time of ever having to let go

The very moment when you try not to show

The emptiness your heart a bottomless pit

That spark in your eye no more seems lit

But the most painful part yet to come

They left you their faces still blossomed with fun

Just as much as you seemed shattered

To them it looked like it hardly mattered

Embracing each other they walked away

You grappled for a reason to make them stay

But then you saw you were alone in this

They didnrsquot seem to find anything amiss

You desired to see those smiling faces once more

Faces you used to see everyday at your door

Yoursquod held them so close once upon a time

But now ask yourself ldquoWere they ever really minerdquo

Its time to turn away too just leave them be

Maybe you saw a bond that they couldnrsquot see

A bond they didnrsquot mind breaking so

Yes theyrsquore not yours just let go

-SK

by Aswathy Kumar

Sowmya is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has recently moved to Chester to join her husband Prashant Menon who she married in December 2014 She has always enjoyed writing poetry and wishes she had more time to devote to it

18

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

GEORGIAN CLOSEA P O E M B Y K A M A L A D A S

no 11

The world renowned Kamala Das who passed away in 2009 was a prolific and much admired Malayali author and poet known for her brave and forthright writing both in

Malayalam and in English She wrote this unpublished poem while staying with her cousin Indira and Sethu Menon (former KALA members) during a visit to England in 1994 on

invitation from Southbank Centre in London to read her poems at the International Poetry Festival

In sleepy Crawley

No11 Georgian Close was

the oasis where as a weary traveller

I paused to pitch my tent

Winter had arrived there

cat-treaded and had laid its paw

on the fish pond glazing its skin

and wilting the lilies one by one

The roses curled inwards then

as fists clenched in fear

and quite often the fog lingered long

over the red bricked neighbourhood

I was a total wreck

to say the very least

sailing so long on unchartered seas

confronting the turbulence of the swell

the sun had settled in my eyes

and a fatigue slumbered in my soul

Winter nuzzled the window panes

of No11 Georgian Close

but a perpetual summer dwelt within

cradling the strays the homesick ones

in unaccustomed warmth

Sethu and Indira were so adept at

putting their guest at ease

From the debris of emotional storms

from the rubble and the dust

hope rose again as sap must inevitably rise

within trees in the wake of a winter

however harsh and cold

Photo of the Menonsrsquo garden which inspired Kamala Dasrsquo poem

8

These were the wise and motivating words of Avul Pakir

Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam or APJ Abdul Kalam as he was

better known As Indiarsquos eleventh president Kalam ignited

minds and was popularly referred to as the lsquoPeoplersquos

Presidentrsquo Although never groomed for a political career it

was through sheer hard work and significant achievements

as a scientist that he was elected to the presidential post in

2002 unanimously and in a rare show of unity by the two

large parties in India

Abdul Kalam was the youngest of four brothers and one

sister He was born into a relatively poor Muslim Tamil

family ndash his father Jainulabudeen was a boat owner and the

imam of a small local mosque His mother Ashiamma was

a housewife Through hard work he won a scholarship to

study Aerospace Engineering at the Madras Institute of

Technology He worked at the Indian Space Research

Organisation (ISRO) where he was part of the team that

helped to deploy the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in

1980 Building on his scientific background Abdul Kalam

also served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime

Minister between 1992-1999

During his 5 year tenure as president Abdul Kalam

personified dignity and spread optimism during his travels

throughout India and abroad His stirring speeches at the

UN and the European Parliament are among the best ever

delivered His simplicity in oration and action were

applauded and endeared him to all those who listened

PRESIDENTthe peoplersquos

A T R I B U T E T O A B D U L K A L A M B Y G E E T H A M E N O N

Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than running after swift but synthetic happiness

9

1931 - 2015

On completing his single term as President he returned to a civilian life of education writing and public service devoting his

life to causes such as the nationrsquos poverty and continuing his passion as a scientist to promote Indiarsquos civilian space program

and pro-nuclear efforts He was the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Bharat Ratna Indias highest civilian

honour It was while he was delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong that Mr Kalam collapsed and

died from an apparent cardiac arrest on 27 July 2015 aged 83 The nation mourned the death of one of its finest ex-Presidents

and an exemplary civilian He was buried with full state honours at his hometown of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu

India never had a more beloved president and although his sudden passing left a nation bereaved it will long celebrate the life

of a man steeped in simplicity and the embodiment of the best that India can be KALA pays its respects to truly the peoplersquos

President

I do not know what time it is My husband Subu seems to

have fallen asleep or has he I can see only the top of his

head his hands crossed over the book he was reading with

the page facing down on his chest and his folded knees The

ranthal light is still burning He has a watch but I donrsquot want

to disturb him Why should I know the time There is no

reason I donrsquot think I will get a wink of sleep tonight The

swaying of this vallam should rock me to sleep in normal

circumstances but not tonight I am travelling to a world

unknown to me I donrsquot know what to expect tomorrow and I

am scared

This is my first long journey with my husband There was a

lot of objection from my amma and ammavan Behind their

backs my younger brother Kavunni was the only one who

was supportive Subursquos amma was not happy at all but she

knew that he being a modern man would do only what he

wanted You could say that Ilsquom eloping with my husband of

19 years The family thinks that I was going with him to

Ambalapuzha Parthasarathi Temple for a pooja The journey

started in a kettuvallam from our village Our horse cart will

be waiting for us in Kollam to take us all the way to

Thiruvananthapuram and finally I am going to live with him

This terrible pain has been twisting and crushing both inside

and outside of my being making me feel worthless for the

past 13 years - since the death of my little girl Devaki I was

so lucky to fall pregnant at the age of 14 five years after our

veli and a year after consummation of marriage She was so

beautiful so perfect

Chettan Pottirsquos antharjanam had not been able to conceive

after years of veli and she is desperate to bear a child for

the family They have to have a boy to continue the family

take over their vast property and to pass on the

responsibility of doing all lsquoafter deathrsquo rites for ancestors of

bygone ages Chechi antharjanam used to whisper in my ear

secretly that she did not mind having a girl or a boy I had

been showing off my belly to her - making her feel the life

inside me Have I been secretly taunting her

Being a second child Subu had the freedom of leaving

Vellimana to continue his education where as his older

brother had a bit more restriction to his lifestyle At the time

of our veli Subu having already passed the 4th standard

examination was a teacher in the Padayanar Kulangara

government primary school He could handle Malayalam

Tamil and Sanskrit well and was a voracious reader He

made me learn the languages and brought me lots of books

A couple of years after Devursquos death Subu left to join his

father who was a sub registrar in Vaikom and he passed his

English matriculation examination from Kottayam CMS

school Helsquos now working as a tutor in Maharajas College

Thiruvananthapuram after taking his BA degree from there I

wanted him to stay in the village with me but he could not

quench his thirst for further knowledge living in our small

village Or was it an escape from the deep sorrow of losing a

child

There was another ambition as well A dedicated teacher at

the age of 16 he was loved by his students Once a school

inspector came to the school for inspection unannounced

Subu was a bit late after thevaram The inspector asked a

student a question and the young teacher standing behind

the inspector could not help giving the little one a clue The

inspector said ldquoPotti you are not fit to be a teacher maybe

you are just good enough to be a temple priest Go and do

ambala santhirdquo He was so annoyed that he made a promise

to himself to become an inspector one day So that could be

another reason to get away from the village

He was lucky he could leave the village and go far away

from where it happened But I had to stay back facing the

monotonous life each day He wanted me to go with him but

that was not allowed by the Kshatriya or Namboothiri society

and their customs even though you were following your

husband ldquoCome with me Ambika you donrsquot have to feel

guiltyrdquo he said I was very young and having heard of no one

leaving home before was not bold enough to go against my

mother and uncle So my life went on around our temple a

ldquoThat was the worst day of my life

13 long years agohelliprdquo

DAWNA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y S E T H U L E K S H M Y N A I R

towards a new

Sethulekshmy is a retired gynaecologist In her spare time she is a keen writer and artist as well as a doting ammumma to Bodhi and Tulsi

10

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

handful of cousins and kitchen and reading books until now

I was very lonely Often I hold my barren and cursed belly

and cry in solitude Subu came to me whenever he could

but that was not very often or enough for me If only I had

another child

That was the worst day in my life 13 long years ago Devu

was only 1frac12 years old and came running to me saying that

she was hungry I was busy in the kitchen getting the lunch

ready with amma I said ldquoCome and have a drink of my

milkrdquo She moved my rouka away and suckled When she

was satisfied she covered me I put the wooden spoon

down gave her a quick cuddle and kiss and said ldquoOff you

go dear and play Once ammarsquos hands are free I will find

you and play with yourdquo

Rice was ready to be drained and then I heard someone

shouting ldquoambotti amma kunjurdquo It was from the pond

side and I rushed outside Devu had fallen into the pond

How did she get there I had no idea Velu who was on the

top of the coconut palm heard something falling into the

water He saw the cart he had made for her that morning on

the side of the pond By the time I came out he had dived

into the water and had lifted her limp body up I just stood

there helpless unable to move Kavunni had taken over and

tried to help her to breath My body and mind went still and I

was unaware of what followed Next thing I remember was

hearing Subursquos sorrowful voice saying ldquoAmbika our Devu

has left us forever a gift given to us only for a short time

Do you want to come and see herrdquo

He supported me to get up and walk There she was in the

nalukettu all wrapped up in white cloth looking ever so

peaceful and beautiful with a burning nilavilakku by her side

I fainted again

Devursquos little face flashes in my mind whenever I think of

another child After each of Subursquos visit I offer a thumba

flower garland to Lord Siva asking for his blessings for a

child but then a couple of weeks later my hope perishes

Lord Siva has had lots of garlands from me Prayers were

the only one thing I could do and hope kept me going Subu

wrote the first Malayalam vilapa kavyam after her death He

has read it to me so many times and together we cry

reading it The pain we feel is beyond any explanation

For the past one year Subu has been gently persuading me

to go and live with him in Thiruvananthapuram He says

there is a big hospital in Thycaud where womenrsquos problems

are taken care of The hospital is run by white nurses and

doctors from England I believe that they will check me over

and say if I can have a child Amma antharjanam has been

giving chechi antharjanam and me ayurveda medicines

straight from her back garden to make us conceive for years

now If Lord Siva and she canrsquot help how can these white

doctors It took a year for Subu to make me say yes Only

yesterday he told me what these people might do to me

There was no turning back then All travel arrangements

have been made secretly between Subu and Kavunni

I am totally scared My trust is in my loving husband and the

Lord I cannot sleep at all I closed my eyes tight and said to

myself ldquothis is what I would do tomorrow just see my Lord

in my inner mind and offer him

another thumba garlandrdquo I felt a

pair of hands touching my

shivering tiny body He held

my hands in his big warm hands

and whispered ldquoWelsquore going to

have children lots of them

Their tiny noises will fill the

walls of your kovilakam again

Do not give up hope Now get

some sleep before dawnrdquo It was

very comforting but I know that

both of us will not get any sleep

tonight He dimmed the ranthal

light and the vallam swayed to

the rhythm of waves may be

towards a fresh dawn in my life

11

M A N A S I J A N A D A R A N

Manasi is in Year 11 at Trivandrum International School After many years of living in the UK she moved back to Kerala with her parents three years ago

I wake up at around seven in the weekends to see the stunning

Aakulam Lake surrounded by a dense canopy of coconut palms

After staring at the picturesque view for a couple of minutes I

climb out of bed and get dressed before heading down to see

whatrsquos for breakfast

After the usual disappointment in finding out that breakfast is the

regular omelette and fried banana I go down to the pool

Though itrsquos the morning the water is still warm because of the

unbearable heat outside and I still have time to do a few laps

before the sun rises fully

After swimming Irsquom forced to sit down and study for an hour or

two with the inevitable breaks in between These sessions are

impossible to avoid given that every child even a ten year old

has to write exams every month

Lunch is as usual rice dahl and thoran Some people may find

this a wonderful combination but personally for me itrsquos just a little

repetitive After lunch I have to take a twenty minute drive

towards the city

Many might believe a car journey is a peaceful time to relax and

stare out at the beautiful scenery outside but not here Any

opportunity I get to let my thoughts wander is disrupted by the

constant blaring of horns Though the ride is short I still

encounter several near death experiences as a cause of

reckless driving before arriving at my destination

I spend the next few hours in the city with my friends Usually we

pass the time in a restaurant or a cafeacute (no bowling alleys or ice-

skating rings in Trivandrum) often chatting about the unbearable

heat or the new shopping mall that is supposedly being built

Dinner is often spent at my cousinsrsquo house I spend the night

running around playing football and waiting for the food to cook

(rice again) Finally when we all sit at the table and begin eating

the peaceful atmosphere is disrupted by a few screams as we

see a lizard darting under the table After a few rounds of

running around the table trying to catch it we settle down again

to finish the meal

Lying in bed I often think about how the day has been Though

my average day here is pretty crazy and filled with unpleasant

surprises it makes my life much more interesting Itrsquos almost too

easy to fall asleephellipuntil a storm hits and the monsoon rain is

lashes against the window making sleeping a little harder

in theDAY LIFEa ofhellip

12

THE WORLD THROUGH KUMBAKARNANrsquoS EYEShellip

STRIPhellipthe cartoon

BY GEETHA MENON

for

ARTrsquoS SAKEB Y A N I T A P U L I Y A N K A L A T H

Many of us from Kerala are exposed to the creative arts in

some form or the other But how many of us know about

mural wall painting ndash the transformation of an uninteresting

surface wall to an unforgettable artistic experience How

many of us have seen these wall paintings amp wondered at

their timeless beauty intricate design and rich vibrant

colours

For the uninitiated a traditional Kerala mural is a painting

mainly seen on the walls ceilings of temples and palaces

They depict mostly gods goddesses saints kings nature

and scenes from our epics and Indian mythology It is an

exquisite art form

Do we know how these are created In the traditional style

of mural painting only vegetable colours and natural

pigments are used These can all be sourced locally in

Kerala

The first step in mural art is the meticulous preparation of

the wall The wall is prepared with a rough plastering of lime

and sand mixed with the juice of kadukkai or chunnambvelli

dissolved with palm sugar A smooth plaster with ground

cotton is then applied After 10 days 25 to 30 coats of lime

and tender coconut water is applied till the thickness of the

coat is as thin as a tamarind leaf The mural is painted only

once the wall is completely dry

The five basic colours used in mural painting are yellow

ochre red sap green indigo blue and black The black

colour is made from soot taken from oil lamps A light yellow

colouring is used for sketching instead of pencil and the

piece is perfected with thin black lines The fine brushes

used are made from the delicate blades of arrow grass

lsquoEyyam Pullursquo found in the rural areas of Kerala

Only a skilled artist can work on them for hours and the

motifs are drawn from the lsquoDhyana Slokasrsquo verbal images of

the deities It is often believed that the artist has a divine

vision (lsquoDivya Dhirshtirsquo) which he transforms from his mindrsquos

eye to create a masterpiece using his deftly creative hands

Today one can see some of these exquisite murals in the

Shiva temple of Ettumanoor Guruvayoor temple near

Trichur Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Trivandrum

Churches at Cheppad Alappuzha the Ramayana Murals of

Mattancherry Palace and many more

However in present times in order to bring mural art closer

home many artists have used different materials like

plywood terracotta bamboo and canvass to paint murals

This enables ordinary people like us to appreciate its beauty

Commercial viability has made it possible for talented artists

to use acrylic colours on the Kerala saree shirts and

churidar tops to replicate some of the murals and today

many hotel lobbies and shopping malls are adorned with

beautiful artistic pieces of mural allowing the common man

to experience this sublime art form

So the next time you visit your hometown be sure to look out

for these gems of creation that will fill your soul with artistic

elation

Anita has a Masters Degree in Public Management University of Madras India and is married to Darshan a Marine Pilot They live in Kent and in her spare time she enjoys gardening music crosswords community development yoga and Aerobics

Mural by an artist Ms Geetha from Trivandrum

13

WRONG WITH ME

Age 18

ldquoWake up Greendale Itrsquos 6am Wake uprdquo

The shrill orders screeched at me from beyond my bedroom

door I remain still as if deaf to my wake up call Clutching

the thin salmon coloured covers I stretch my neck in an

attempt to relieve myself from the agonising pain of only

having one pillow to sleep on Slowly I force myself to open

my lazy eyes and stare intently at the grey walls All that is

left now is to listen to my roommate Lisa snore and mutter

to herself in her sleep Pushing myself up into a comfortable

seated position I allow my surroundings to embed

themselves on to my brain A cold room that is occupied by

two beds two sinks two desks and a few of Lisarsquos knitting

books I rest my back against the walls and close my eyes

It was easy to shut my eyes and get lost in the never-

ending pitted blackness that conquered my eyelids

Sometimes I never wanted to open them Itrsquos my escape A

world that I can actually call mine I wallow in what feels like

silky black sheets and envisage a world where I can run

freely with no inhibitions The black fades seamlessly into a

green field dotted with idyllic flowers My neurons create the

feeling of the soles of my feet grazing against the ground as

I pelt through the field feeling the pulse of wind on my

cheek Liberation I donrsquot ever want to open my eyes I want

to stay in this world where I can control every minute detail

to a tee I am physics Without mercy for my soulrsquos rest a

heavy hand clouts upon my unsuspecting shoulder and

opening my eyes I see Lisa her eyes fixated on me Her

blonde short curly hair dishevelled and her eyelashes

coated thick in sleep What appeared to be unkempt

appearance was merely insanity masking the true beauty

beneath

I watched Lisa rub her eyes and sluggishly put on her white

plimsolls Despite being undernourished her scrawny body

moved as if she had masses of weight to carry the burden

of her emotional angst bringing her down Lisa looked at me

as if to say lsquoget a move onrsquo Cracking a half-hearted smile I

stared at my own white plimsolls at the foot of my bed They

seemed so far away so unreachable With a struggle I

stretched across and reached out for them

ldquoGreendale patients It is 630am Breakfast is in 10

minutesrdquo

It was time to get ready for the day ahead My heart

plummeted into the pit of my stomach and a wave of nausea

threw its slurry northward I felt the weight of my head on my

shoulders and slowly but surely my eyes started to fill up

with salty tears This is my life

ldquoYou readyrdquo asked Lisa Nodding I followed her out of

Room 13

My name is Elizabeth Mary Margaret and I am a Greendale

Psychiatric Institute patient

mdashmdashmdash

Age 12

This is my story The story of how a normal girl ended up in

a psychiatric ward (normal being the operative word) It all

began when I was 12 a tender adolescent teenager facing

the usual trials and tribulations that came with the age I

always knew that I was different to the other girls Whilst

they worried about their bodies and boys I worried about the

darker things in life things that would make your skin crawl

Infatuated by the mind of a murderer the motives of a rapist

the depression of an alcoholic I would allow myself to

wander hopelessly in their shoes Some may call it intuition

a natural curiosity for the darker things unknown but from a

very young age I knew that mine was no innocent interest

but a cynical unforgiving obsession An obsessive need that

I possessed compounded with jealousy

On the 12th April 1994 my life started to take a downward

spiral into the pits of my own dark unimaginable thoughts It

was my 12th birthday and what started of with cake and

presents quickly turned ugly as I had an encounter with the

A S H O R T S T O R Y B Y N E E T U N A I R

there is nothing

Neetu is currently finishing her degree in English Language amp Communication from Oxford Brookes University She is a keen writer and hopes to work in Forensics where she can combine her love of investigating crimes with her passion for writing

14

neighbourrsquos cat As my mother entertained party guests I

slowly slipped to the back of my garden where I would often

retreat to watch a busy ant farm I had created I took care

and had meticulously planned how my ant farm was to look

After three weeks of hard work I had reached my goal

Tending to them everyday I worked up a sweat making sure

they were all okay and as today was my birthday I decided to

spend as much time with them as possible Squatting down

next to them I watched them work and as I slowly became

engrossed in studying their movements Misty the

neighbourrsquos tabby walked over them ruining all my hard

work I remember how I felt clearly a huge rush of heat

overcoming my body My cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tears I clenched my fists and watched Misty as she

graciously ruined my masterpiece without a care in the

world It was unforgivable and cruel and as my mother

coined it ldquobad behaviourrdquo

I glared at Misty at which point my feline foe was staring

right back at me She was relentless in my eyes and her

ldquobad behaviourrdquo meant she had to pay Glancing back at my

mum confirming her attention was not on me I quickly

swiped the cat and ran into my wendy house where I

slammed her to the ground and bludgeoned her with a rock

killing her for what she did to my ant farm

To my dismay my mother saw Mistyrsquos dead body laying

under my hat that evening as she was cleaning up after my

party From then on I was summoned to counselling

mdashmdashmdash

Age 13

A year later I was branching into dangerous territory and

felt no guilt for my actions I wanted to cease mankind be

the last woman standing I wanted to be alone in complete

isolation For the past year I had mutilated over twelve

animals and my counsellor had referred me to a doctor who

was assigned to ldquodiagnoserdquo me Nothing was wrong with me

mdashmdashmdash

Age 17

ldquoElizabeth would you come down hererdquo my mother called

up to my room

My mother Jeanette Jane Margaret was a woman of great

standards She believed in keeping up appearances and

was bitterly ashamed of me She would never take me out

for I was a disturbed child and on the rare occasion she did I

would always end up ldquomisbehavingrdquo Mother believed in old-

fashioned customs banning me to my room when I was

naughty was a regularity in this household She did not want

to ever believe that something was wrong with me she

called it a phase The last four years had been turmoil for I

had done things that nightmares were made of I had

bludgeoned animals pushed my sister down the stairs in

rage lit my motherrsquos favourite dress on fire and been

excluded from school

But nothing was wrong with me I was just different

Misunderstood ldquoYesrdquo I asked monotonously avoiding eye

contact

ldquoDr Keele called He is making a house callrdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo

ldquoOh for heavens sake Elizabethrdquo my mothers voice trembled

with frustration fused with sadness

Dr Keele made regular house calls each one intensifying my

confusion

ldquoWhyrdquo I pushed for an answer

ldquoElizabeth you are ruining this familyrdquo Her harsh words

violently pierced my heart I stared back at her into her soul

She was evil she did not understand me

ldquoRuining this family This picture perfect family Howrdquo I

said containing my anger

ldquoHow HOW You are really going to stand there and ask

me such stupid questions I have tried to be patient tried to

listen and guide you But you do wrong You wonrsquot learn

Hiding you in this house for the past five years was a

mistake You are not normal Elizabeth Itrsquos time for a

changerdquo

ldquoA change What sort of changerdquo

ldquoYou need help For as long as I can remember you have

ldquoMy cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tearshelliprdquo

15

been hurting those around you Family friendshellipanimalsrdquo

My motherrsquos words cut me like a knife a sharp pain took

over my body It was anger it was hot and ready to unleash

itrsquos fire breathing dragon to burn her for her insolence

Nothing was wrong with me

At that moment Dr Keele rang the doorbell He was a

dishevelled looking man whose outward unkempt

appearance was no reflection of his intelligent mind I had

respect for him and he was the only one who would talk to

me in a free manner holding no fear in his facial expression

As my mother set down a cup of tea for him he began to

speak

ldquoElizabeth you are looking wellrdquo

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I was drained My

hair was up in a messy ponytail my glasses slipping off the

bridge of my nose It was 4pm and I was still in my pyjamas

Dr Keele was obviously trying to ease the tension in the

room with cheap insincere flattery

For a moment time stood still It was silent and I could feel

motherrsquos eyes on me like a hawk watching its prey Dr Keele

sighed as he took a sip of his tea and as he placed the cup

onto the table he started to rub his temples Leaning

forward he gave a warm smile bearing all of his pearly

whites He stared at me Some would say that the silence

was unbearable and awkward but I basked in it It was a

time that I had to just be and even though I knew I was the

subject of scrutiny it felt peaceful that no one was talking to

me or rather at me My mind drifted off into its own world

I imagined myself sitting in a park alone There were no

other children with me I watched the swings move back and

forth bouncing off the winds power The sky was grey and

the flowers had all wilted It was heaven As I looked around

the park it seemed simply beautiful that such tranquillity was

so easily achieved I examined every corner of the park and

could not help but feel excitement at how perfect it was As I

looked to the playground I noticed that a foul loathsome

creature interrupted the ambience I had created It was a

rabbit Blasted animals I slowly made my way over to the

four-legged freak I could not fathom how people deemed

this ghastly looking thing as cute and with that I swung my

leg back and kicked it in the neck Music came in the form of

its neck breaking as I had injured it Good I sat there

smiling to myself and the power I had held over this pathetic

defenceless creature

Suddenly I felt my mind slip out of this stream of

consciousness I had indulged in I realised that I was sitting

in my living room opposite Dr Keele and mother and a good

five minutes had gone and it was completely silent This was

an abnormality and instantly I knew something was wrong

At once I snapped back into the room and found mother and

Dr Keele whispering together I hated whispering it was

rude and unmannerly Dr Keele noticed that I wasnrsquot day

dreaming anymore

ldquoAh Elizabeth I am glad to see yoursquore backrdquo

I winced I could tell he was lying he was a doctor and this

was a job He was not ldquogladrdquo to see I was back he was

being superfluous

ldquoI expect you are wondering why it has been so quiet for so

longrdquo Dr Keele asked full of hope

ldquoNordquo I monotonously responded

ldquoElizabeth you are special and you have the ability to be

moulded into a wonderful woman You know that your

mother has been having a lot of trouble with you over the

past couple of years with your behavioural problems and I

havenrsquot seemed to knuckle down on a diagnosis for this

conduct you embodyrdquo

16

ldquoThere is nothing wrong with merdquo

ldquoOf courserdquo Dr Keele attempted to console me ldquoThere is

indeed nothing wrong with you but as your doctor I need to

do what is best for you and your motherrdquo I did not like

where this was going

ldquoSo after speaking to a few doctors at the surgery I think it

would be beneficial for you to go to a special place for a few

months to really tackle this issuerdquo

Dr Keele coined the term ldquospecialrdquo as if I was 10 years old

and naiumlve enough to fall for his gentle tone when in fact it

was annoyingly patronising

ldquoGreendale Psychiatric Institute is a lovely place not far

from here It will help pull the reigns in on this problem

There is a room waiting for you and a roommate called Lisa

too You will have a blast and better yet you will be

happierrdquo

ldquoYou will be normal Lizrdquo my mother uttered

I will be normal I will be normal I will be normal No matter

how many times I replayed that word in my head it did not

make sense to me I was normal and it was demeaning of

my mother to use this mundane word as criteria she needed

my personality to hit It was demoralising and slowly I felt

the pain and anger in me boil to temperatures unknown

This woman had carried me for nine months essentially

brought me up and she had the nerve to stop treating me

like her child but rather some abnormal science project

She prodded at my feelings dissected my emotional hold on

life and burnt my will to live She did not understand me no

one did No one could gauge how difficult this was and how

burdened I felt

I will not go to Greendale I will not I will not I will not I was

determined

Unfortunately my determination was not enough Three

days later I was taken there kicking and screaming As the

taxi made its way down the path I caught sight of my

motherrsquos somewhat uplifted demeanour I could not distract

myself from the sense of relief that I had bestowed upon her

face It was heart-breaking that my mother my own flesh

and blood was so elated to see me go

mdashmdashmdash

Age 18

Present day Greendale

Breakfast was over and I traipsed back to my room Lisa

had a knitting lesson and I was lucky to be alone for an

hour I sat down on my bed causing the steel frame to

creak with agony I closed my eyes and felt my tears run

down my cheek I looked at myself in the mirror What I had

come to I was a beaten down run over person I was lost

and confused and my life had pushed me to boundaries I

did not know existed I could not do this anymore As I

reflected on my life I realised how little those around me

knew I felt no guilt for motherrsquos pain Keelersquos frustration and

for all the animals I tortured I guess this was Godrsquos way of

toying with me giving me less freedom than an animal The

four walls closed in on me and my body shook with fear I

needed to stop I needed to be free

Ripping a piece of paper out of my notebook I racked my

mind for words With a shaky hand I wrote

Mother

There was is nothing wrong with me

Elizabeth

Clasping the paper in my hand I carefully lay it on my

pillow I was ready for a change I was ready for a different

life where I did not need to deal with judging eyes and

whispering behind my back Slowly I stood on my chair and

looped my jogging bottoms round the curtain rail I tied it

around my neck feeling the waistline dig into it Smite me

almighty smiter

With that I closed my eyes and told myself I was ready

Stepping off I felt my lungs struggle I felt my legs kick

frantically I was panicking as life ebbed slowly from my

body I could have stopped it but I didnrsquot

For I needed change

17

LET GOhellipA P O E M B Y S O W M Y A K R I S H N A N

The flowers whispered a silent word

The hum in your ears was so unheard

The clouds too listened and shed a tear

The pain of separation is an intimate fear

The time of ever having to let go

The very moment when you try not to show

The emptiness your heart a bottomless pit

That spark in your eye no more seems lit

But the most painful part yet to come

They left you their faces still blossomed with fun

Just as much as you seemed shattered

To them it looked like it hardly mattered

Embracing each other they walked away

You grappled for a reason to make them stay

But then you saw you were alone in this

They didnrsquot seem to find anything amiss

You desired to see those smiling faces once more

Faces you used to see everyday at your door

Yoursquod held them so close once upon a time

But now ask yourself ldquoWere they ever really minerdquo

Its time to turn away too just leave them be

Maybe you saw a bond that they couldnrsquot see

A bond they didnrsquot mind breaking so

Yes theyrsquore not yours just let go

-SK

by Aswathy Kumar

Sowmya is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has recently moved to Chester to join her husband Prashant Menon who she married in December 2014 She has always enjoyed writing poetry and wishes she had more time to devote to it

18

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

These were the wise and motivating words of Avul Pakir

Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam or APJ Abdul Kalam as he was

better known As Indiarsquos eleventh president Kalam ignited

minds and was popularly referred to as the lsquoPeoplersquos

Presidentrsquo Although never groomed for a political career it

was through sheer hard work and significant achievements

as a scientist that he was elected to the presidential post in

2002 unanimously and in a rare show of unity by the two

large parties in India

Abdul Kalam was the youngest of four brothers and one

sister He was born into a relatively poor Muslim Tamil

family ndash his father Jainulabudeen was a boat owner and the

imam of a small local mosque His mother Ashiamma was

a housewife Through hard work he won a scholarship to

study Aerospace Engineering at the Madras Institute of

Technology He worked at the Indian Space Research

Organisation (ISRO) where he was part of the team that

helped to deploy the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in

1980 Building on his scientific background Abdul Kalam

also served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime

Minister between 1992-1999

During his 5 year tenure as president Abdul Kalam

personified dignity and spread optimism during his travels

throughout India and abroad His stirring speeches at the

UN and the European Parliament are among the best ever

delivered His simplicity in oration and action were

applauded and endeared him to all those who listened

PRESIDENTthe peoplersquos

A T R I B U T E T O A B D U L K A L A M B Y G E E T H A M E N O N

Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than running after swift but synthetic happiness

9

1931 - 2015

On completing his single term as President he returned to a civilian life of education writing and public service devoting his

life to causes such as the nationrsquos poverty and continuing his passion as a scientist to promote Indiarsquos civilian space program

and pro-nuclear efforts He was the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Bharat Ratna Indias highest civilian

honour It was while he was delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong that Mr Kalam collapsed and

died from an apparent cardiac arrest on 27 July 2015 aged 83 The nation mourned the death of one of its finest ex-Presidents

and an exemplary civilian He was buried with full state honours at his hometown of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu

India never had a more beloved president and although his sudden passing left a nation bereaved it will long celebrate the life

of a man steeped in simplicity and the embodiment of the best that India can be KALA pays its respects to truly the peoplersquos

President

I do not know what time it is My husband Subu seems to

have fallen asleep or has he I can see only the top of his

head his hands crossed over the book he was reading with

the page facing down on his chest and his folded knees The

ranthal light is still burning He has a watch but I donrsquot want

to disturb him Why should I know the time There is no

reason I donrsquot think I will get a wink of sleep tonight The

swaying of this vallam should rock me to sleep in normal

circumstances but not tonight I am travelling to a world

unknown to me I donrsquot know what to expect tomorrow and I

am scared

This is my first long journey with my husband There was a

lot of objection from my amma and ammavan Behind their

backs my younger brother Kavunni was the only one who

was supportive Subursquos amma was not happy at all but she

knew that he being a modern man would do only what he

wanted You could say that Ilsquom eloping with my husband of

19 years The family thinks that I was going with him to

Ambalapuzha Parthasarathi Temple for a pooja The journey

started in a kettuvallam from our village Our horse cart will

be waiting for us in Kollam to take us all the way to

Thiruvananthapuram and finally I am going to live with him

This terrible pain has been twisting and crushing both inside

and outside of my being making me feel worthless for the

past 13 years - since the death of my little girl Devaki I was

so lucky to fall pregnant at the age of 14 five years after our

veli and a year after consummation of marriage She was so

beautiful so perfect

Chettan Pottirsquos antharjanam had not been able to conceive

after years of veli and she is desperate to bear a child for

the family They have to have a boy to continue the family

take over their vast property and to pass on the

responsibility of doing all lsquoafter deathrsquo rites for ancestors of

bygone ages Chechi antharjanam used to whisper in my ear

secretly that she did not mind having a girl or a boy I had

been showing off my belly to her - making her feel the life

inside me Have I been secretly taunting her

Being a second child Subu had the freedom of leaving

Vellimana to continue his education where as his older

brother had a bit more restriction to his lifestyle At the time

of our veli Subu having already passed the 4th standard

examination was a teacher in the Padayanar Kulangara

government primary school He could handle Malayalam

Tamil and Sanskrit well and was a voracious reader He

made me learn the languages and brought me lots of books

A couple of years after Devursquos death Subu left to join his

father who was a sub registrar in Vaikom and he passed his

English matriculation examination from Kottayam CMS

school Helsquos now working as a tutor in Maharajas College

Thiruvananthapuram after taking his BA degree from there I

wanted him to stay in the village with me but he could not

quench his thirst for further knowledge living in our small

village Or was it an escape from the deep sorrow of losing a

child

There was another ambition as well A dedicated teacher at

the age of 16 he was loved by his students Once a school

inspector came to the school for inspection unannounced

Subu was a bit late after thevaram The inspector asked a

student a question and the young teacher standing behind

the inspector could not help giving the little one a clue The

inspector said ldquoPotti you are not fit to be a teacher maybe

you are just good enough to be a temple priest Go and do

ambala santhirdquo He was so annoyed that he made a promise

to himself to become an inspector one day So that could be

another reason to get away from the village

He was lucky he could leave the village and go far away

from where it happened But I had to stay back facing the

monotonous life each day He wanted me to go with him but

that was not allowed by the Kshatriya or Namboothiri society

and their customs even though you were following your

husband ldquoCome with me Ambika you donrsquot have to feel

guiltyrdquo he said I was very young and having heard of no one

leaving home before was not bold enough to go against my

mother and uncle So my life went on around our temple a

ldquoThat was the worst day of my life

13 long years agohelliprdquo

DAWNA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y S E T H U L E K S H M Y N A I R

towards a new

Sethulekshmy is a retired gynaecologist In her spare time she is a keen writer and artist as well as a doting ammumma to Bodhi and Tulsi

10

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

handful of cousins and kitchen and reading books until now

I was very lonely Often I hold my barren and cursed belly

and cry in solitude Subu came to me whenever he could

but that was not very often or enough for me If only I had

another child

That was the worst day in my life 13 long years ago Devu

was only 1frac12 years old and came running to me saying that

she was hungry I was busy in the kitchen getting the lunch

ready with amma I said ldquoCome and have a drink of my

milkrdquo She moved my rouka away and suckled When she

was satisfied she covered me I put the wooden spoon

down gave her a quick cuddle and kiss and said ldquoOff you

go dear and play Once ammarsquos hands are free I will find

you and play with yourdquo

Rice was ready to be drained and then I heard someone

shouting ldquoambotti amma kunjurdquo It was from the pond

side and I rushed outside Devu had fallen into the pond

How did she get there I had no idea Velu who was on the

top of the coconut palm heard something falling into the

water He saw the cart he had made for her that morning on

the side of the pond By the time I came out he had dived

into the water and had lifted her limp body up I just stood

there helpless unable to move Kavunni had taken over and

tried to help her to breath My body and mind went still and I

was unaware of what followed Next thing I remember was

hearing Subursquos sorrowful voice saying ldquoAmbika our Devu

has left us forever a gift given to us only for a short time

Do you want to come and see herrdquo

He supported me to get up and walk There she was in the

nalukettu all wrapped up in white cloth looking ever so

peaceful and beautiful with a burning nilavilakku by her side

I fainted again

Devursquos little face flashes in my mind whenever I think of

another child After each of Subursquos visit I offer a thumba

flower garland to Lord Siva asking for his blessings for a

child but then a couple of weeks later my hope perishes

Lord Siva has had lots of garlands from me Prayers were

the only one thing I could do and hope kept me going Subu

wrote the first Malayalam vilapa kavyam after her death He

has read it to me so many times and together we cry

reading it The pain we feel is beyond any explanation

For the past one year Subu has been gently persuading me

to go and live with him in Thiruvananthapuram He says

there is a big hospital in Thycaud where womenrsquos problems

are taken care of The hospital is run by white nurses and

doctors from England I believe that they will check me over

and say if I can have a child Amma antharjanam has been

giving chechi antharjanam and me ayurveda medicines

straight from her back garden to make us conceive for years

now If Lord Siva and she canrsquot help how can these white

doctors It took a year for Subu to make me say yes Only

yesterday he told me what these people might do to me

There was no turning back then All travel arrangements

have been made secretly between Subu and Kavunni

I am totally scared My trust is in my loving husband and the

Lord I cannot sleep at all I closed my eyes tight and said to

myself ldquothis is what I would do tomorrow just see my Lord

in my inner mind and offer him

another thumba garlandrdquo I felt a

pair of hands touching my

shivering tiny body He held

my hands in his big warm hands

and whispered ldquoWelsquore going to

have children lots of them

Their tiny noises will fill the

walls of your kovilakam again

Do not give up hope Now get

some sleep before dawnrdquo It was

very comforting but I know that

both of us will not get any sleep

tonight He dimmed the ranthal

light and the vallam swayed to

the rhythm of waves may be

towards a fresh dawn in my life

11

M A N A S I J A N A D A R A N

Manasi is in Year 11 at Trivandrum International School After many years of living in the UK she moved back to Kerala with her parents three years ago

I wake up at around seven in the weekends to see the stunning

Aakulam Lake surrounded by a dense canopy of coconut palms

After staring at the picturesque view for a couple of minutes I

climb out of bed and get dressed before heading down to see

whatrsquos for breakfast

After the usual disappointment in finding out that breakfast is the

regular omelette and fried banana I go down to the pool

Though itrsquos the morning the water is still warm because of the

unbearable heat outside and I still have time to do a few laps

before the sun rises fully

After swimming Irsquom forced to sit down and study for an hour or

two with the inevitable breaks in between These sessions are

impossible to avoid given that every child even a ten year old

has to write exams every month

Lunch is as usual rice dahl and thoran Some people may find

this a wonderful combination but personally for me itrsquos just a little

repetitive After lunch I have to take a twenty minute drive

towards the city

Many might believe a car journey is a peaceful time to relax and

stare out at the beautiful scenery outside but not here Any

opportunity I get to let my thoughts wander is disrupted by the

constant blaring of horns Though the ride is short I still

encounter several near death experiences as a cause of

reckless driving before arriving at my destination

I spend the next few hours in the city with my friends Usually we

pass the time in a restaurant or a cafeacute (no bowling alleys or ice-

skating rings in Trivandrum) often chatting about the unbearable

heat or the new shopping mall that is supposedly being built

Dinner is often spent at my cousinsrsquo house I spend the night

running around playing football and waiting for the food to cook

(rice again) Finally when we all sit at the table and begin eating

the peaceful atmosphere is disrupted by a few screams as we

see a lizard darting under the table After a few rounds of

running around the table trying to catch it we settle down again

to finish the meal

Lying in bed I often think about how the day has been Though

my average day here is pretty crazy and filled with unpleasant

surprises it makes my life much more interesting Itrsquos almost too

easy to fall asleephellipuntil a storm hits and the monsoon rain is

lashes against the window making sleeping a little harder

in theDAY LIFEa ofhellip

12

THE WORLD THROUGH KUMBAKARNANrsquoS EYEShellip

STRIPhellipthe cartoon

BY GEETHA MENON

for

ARTrsquoS SAKEB Y A N I T A P U L I Y A N K A L A T H

Many of us from Kerala are exposed to the creative arts in

some form or the other But how many of us know about

mural wall painting ndash the transformation of an uninteresting

surface wall to an unforgettable artistic experience How

many of us have seen these wall paintings amp wondered at

their timeless beauty intricate design and rich vibrant

colours

For the uninitiated a traditional Kerala mural is a painting

mainly seen on the walls ceilings of temples and palaces

They depict mostly gods goddesses saints kings nature

and scenes from our epics and Indian mythology It is an

exquisite art form

Do we know how these are created In the traditional style

of mural painting only vegetable colours and natural

pigments are used These can all be sourced locally in

Kerala

The first step in mural art is the meticulous preparation of

the wall The wall is prepared with a rough plastering of lime

and sand mixed with the juice of kadukkai or chunnambvelli

dissolved with palm sugar A smooth plaster with ground

cotton is then applied After 10 days 25 to 30 coats of lime

and tender coconut water is applied till the thickness of the

coat is as thin as a tamarind leaf The mural is painted only

once the wall is completely dry

The five basic colours used in mural painting are yellow

ochre red sap green indigo blue and black The black

colour is made from soot taken from oil lamps A light yellow

colouring is used for sketching instead of pencil and the

piece is perfected with thin black lines The fine brushes

used are made from the delicate blades of arrow grass

lsquoEyyam Pullursquo found in the rural areas of Kerala

Only a skilled artist can work on them for hours and the

motifs are drawn from the lsquoDhyana Slokasrsquo verbal images of

the deities It is often believed that the artist has a divine

vision (lsquoDivya Dhirshtirsquo) which he transforms from his mindrsquos

eye to create a masterpiece using his deftly creative hands

Today one can see some of these exquisite murals in the

Shiva temple of Ettumanoor Guruvayoor temple near

Trichur Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Trivandrum

Churches at Cheppad Alappuzha the Ramayana Murals of

Mattancherry Palace and many more

However in present times in order to bring mural art closer

home many artists have used different materials like

plywood terracotta bamboo and canvass to paint murals

This enables ordinary people like us to appreciate its beauty

Commercial viability has made it possible for talented artists

to use acrylic colours on the Kerala saree shirts and

churidar tops to replicate some of the murals and today

many hotel lobbies and shopping malls are adorned with

beautiful artistic pieces of mural allowing the common man

to experience this sublime art form

So the next time you visit your hometown be sure to look out

for these gems of creation that will fill your soul with artistic

elation

Anita has a Masters Degree in Public Management University of Madras India and is married to Darshan a Marine Pilot They live in Kent and in her spare time she enjoys gardening music crosswords community development yoga and Aerobics

Mural by an artist Ms Geetha from Trivandrum

13

WRONG WITH ME

Age 18

ldquoWake up Greendale Itrsquos 6am Wake uprdquo

The shrill orders screeched at me from beyond my bedroom

door I remain still as if deaf to my wake up call Clutching

the thin salmon coloured covers I stretch my neck in an

attempt to relieve myself from the agonising pain of only

having one pillow to sleep on Slowly I force myself to open

my lazy eyes and stare intently at the grey walls All that is

left now is to listen to my roommate Lisa snore and mutter

to herself in her sleep Pushing myself up into a comfortable

seated position I allow my surroundings to embed

themselves on to my brain A cold room that is occupied by

two beds two sinks two desks and a few of Lisarsquos knitting

books I rest my back against the walls and close my eyes

It was easy to shut my eyes and get lost in the never-

ending pitted blackness that conquered my eyelids

Sometimes I never wanted to open them Itrsquos my escape A

world that I can actually call mine I wallow in what feels like

silky black sheets and envisage a world where I can run

freely with no inhibitions The black fades seamlessly into a

green field dotted with idyllic flowers My neurons create the

feeling of the soles of my feet grazing against the ground as

I pelt through the field feeling the pulse of wind on my

cheek Liberation I donrsquot ever want to open my eyes I want

to stay in this world where I can control every minute detail

to a tee I am physics Without mercy for my soulrsquos rest a

heavy hand clouts upon my unsuspecting shoulder and

opening my eyes I see Lisa her eyes fixated on me Her

blonde short curly hair dishevelled and her eyelashes

coated thick in sleep What appeared to be unkempt

appearance was merely insanity masking the true beauty

beneath

I watched Lisa rub her eyes and sluggishly put on her white

plimsolls Despite being undernourished her scrawny body

moved as if she had masses of weight to carry the burden

of her emotional angst bringing her down Lisa looked at me

as if to say lsquoget a move onrsquo Cracking a half-hearted smile I

stared at my own white plimsolls at the foot of my bed They

seemed so far away so unreachable With a struggle I

stretched across and reached out for them

ldquoGreendale patients It is 630am Breakfast is in 10

minutesrdquo

It was time to get ready for the day ahead My heart

plummeted into the pit of my stomach and a wave of nausea

threw its slurry northward I felt the weight of my head on my

shoulders and slowly but surely my eyes started to fill up

with salty tears This is my life

ldquoYou readyrdquo asked Lisa Nodding I followed her out of

Room 13

My name is Elizabeth Mary Margaret and I am a Greendale

Psychiatric Institute patient

mdashmdashmdash

Age 12

This is my story The story of how a normal girl ended up in

a psychiatric ward (normal being the operative word) It all

began when I was 12 a tender adolescent teenager facing

the usual trials and tribulations that came with the age I

always knew that I was different to the other girls Whilst

they worried about their bodies and boys I worried about the

darker things in life things that would make your skin crawl

Infatuated by the mind of a murderer the motives of a rapist

the depression of an alcoholic I would allow myself to

wander hopelessly in their shoes Some may call it intuition

a natural curiosity for the darker things unknown but from a

very young age I knew that mine was no innocent interest

but a cynical unforgiving obsession An obsessive need that

I possessed compounded with jealousy

On the 12th April 1994 my life started to take a downward

spiral into the pits of my own dark unimaginable thoughts It

was my 12th birthday and what started of with cake and

presents quickly turned ugly as I had an encounter with the

A S H O R T S T O R Y B Y N E E T U N A I R

there is nothing

Neetu is currently finishing her degree in English Language amp Communication from Oxford Brookes University She is a keen writer and hopes to work in Forensics where she can combine her love of investigating crimes with her passion for writing

14

neighbourrsquos cat As my mother entertained party guests I

slowly slipped to the back of my garden where I would often

retreat to watch a busy ant farm I had created I took care

and had meticulously planned how my ant farm was to look

After three weeks of hard work I had reached my goal

Tending to them everyday I worked up a sweat making sure

they were all okay and as today was my birthday I decided to

spend as much time with them as possible Squatting down

next to them I watched them work and as I slowly became

engrossed in studying their movements Misty the

neighbourrsquos tabby walked over them ruining all my hard

work I remember how I felt clearly a huge rush of heat

overcoming my body My cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tears I clenched my fists and watched Misty as she

graciously ruined my masterpiece without a care in the

world It was unforgivable and cruel and as my mother

coined it ldquobad behaviourrdquo

I glared at Misty at which point my feline foe was staring

right back at me She was relentless in my eyes and her

ldquobad behaviourrdquo meant she had to pay Glancing back at my

mum confirming her attention was not on me I quickly

swiped the cat and ran into my wendy house where I

slammed her to the ground and bludgeoned her with a rock

killing her for what she did to my ant farm

To my dismay my mother saw Mistyrsquos dead body laying

under my hat that evening as she was cleaning up after my

party From then on I was summoned to counselling

mdashmdashmdash

Age 13

A year later I was branching into dangerous territory and

felt no guilt for my actions I wanted to cease mankind be

the last woman standing I wanted to be alone in complete

isolation For the past year I had mutilated over twelve

animals and my counsellor had referred me to a doctor who

was assigned to ldquodiagnoserdquo me Nothing was wrong with me

mdashmdashmdash

Age 17

ldquoElizabeth would you come down hererdquo my mother called

up to my room

My mother Jeanette Jane Margaret was a woman of great

standards She believed in keeping up appearances and

was bitterly ashamed of me She would never take me out

for I was a disturbed child and on the rare occasion she did I

would always end up ldquomisbehavingrdquo Mother believed in old-

fashioned customs banning me to my room when I was

naughty was a regularity in this household She did not want

to ever believe that something was wrong with me she

called it a phase The last four years had been turmoil for I

had done things that nightmares were made of I had

bludgeoned animals pushed my sister down the stairs in

rage lit my motherrsquos favourite dress on fire and been

excluded from school

But nothing was wrong with me I was just different

Misunderstood ldquoYesrdquo I asked monotonously avoiding eye

contact

ldquoDr Keele called He is making a house callrdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo

ldquoOh for heavens sake Elizabethrdquo my mothers voice trembled

with frustration fused with sadness

Dr Keele made regular house calls each one intensifying my

confusion

ldquoWhyrdquo I pushed for an answer

ldquoElizabeth you are ruining this familyrdquo Her harsh words

violently pierced my heart I stared back at her into her soul

She was evil she did not understand me

ldquoRuining this family This picture perfect family Howrdquo I

said containing my anger

ldquoHow HOW You are really going to stand there and ask

me such stupid questions I have tried to be patient tried to

listen and guide you But you do wrong You wonrsquot learn

Hiding you in this house for the past five years was a

mistake You are not normal Elizabeth Itrsquos time for a

changerdquo

ldquoA change What sort of changerdquo

ldquoYou need help For as long as I can remember you have

ldquoMy cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tearshelliprdquo

15

been hurting those around you Family friendshellipanimalsrdquo

My motherrsquos words cut me like a knife a sharp pain took

over my body It was anger it was hot and ready to unleash

itrsquos fire breathing dragon to burn her for her insolence

Nothing was wrong with me

At that moment Dr Keele rang the doorbell He was a

dishevelled looking man whose outward unkempt

appearance was no reflection of his intelligent mind I had

respect for him and he was the only one who would talk to

me in a free manner holding no fear in his facial expression

As my mother set down a cup of tea for him he began to

speak

ldquoElizabeth you are looking wellrdquo

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I was drained My

hair was up in a messy ponytail my glasses slipping off the

bridge of my nose It was 4pm and I was still in my pyjamas

Dr Keele was obviously trying to ease the tension in the

room with cheap insincere flattery

For a moment time stood still It was silent and I could feel

motherrsquos eyes on me like a hawk watching its prey Dr Keele

sighed as he took a sip of his tea and as he placed the cup

onto the table he started to rub his temples Leaning

forward he gave a warm smile bearing all of his pearly

whites He stared at me Some would say that the silence

was unbearable and awkward but I basked in it It was a

time that I had to just be and even though I knew I was the

subject of scrutiny it felt peaceful that no one was talking to

me or rather at me My mind drifted off into its own world

I imagined myself sitting in a park alone There were no

other children with me I watched the swings move back and

forth bouncing off the winds power The sky was grey and

the flowers had all wilted It was heaven As I looked around

the park it seemed simply beautiful that such tranquillity was

so easily achieved I examined every corner of the park and

could not help but feel excitement at how perfect it was As I

looked to the playground I noticed that a foul loathsome

creature interrupted the ambience I had created It was a

rabbit Blasted animals I slowly made my way over to the

four-legged freak I could not fathom how people deemed

this ghastly looking thing as cute and with that I swung my

leg back and kicked it in the neck Music came in the form of

its neck breaking as I had injured it Good I sat there

smiling to myself and the power I had held over this pathetic

defenceless creature

Suddenly I felt my mind slip out of this stream of

consciousness I had indulged in I realised that I was sitting

in my living room opposite Dr Keele and mother and a good

five minutes had gone and it was completely silent This was

an abnormality and instantly I knew something was wrong

At once I snapped back into the room and found mother and

Dr Keele whispering together I hated whispering it was

rude and unmannerly Dr Keele noticed that I wasnrsquot day

dreaming anymore

ldquoAh Elizabeth I am glad to see yoursquore backrdquo

I winced I could tell he was lying he was a doctor and this

was a job He was not ldquogladrdquo to see I was back he was

being superfluous

ldquoI expect you are wondering why it has been so quiet for so

longrdquo Dr Keele asked full of hope

ldquoNordquo I monotonously responded

ldquoElizabeth you are special and you have the ability to be

moulded into a wonderful woman You know that your

mother has been having a lot of trouble with you over the

past couple of years with your behavioural problems and I

havenrsquot seemed to knuckle down on a diagnosis for this

conduct you embodyrdquo

16

ldquoThere is nothing wrong with merdquo

ldquoOf courserdquo Dr Keele attempted to console me ldquoThere is

indeed nothing wrong with you but as your doctor I need to

do what is best for you and your motherrdquo I did not like

where this was going

ldquoSo after speaking to a few doctors at the surgery I think it

would be beneficial for you to go to a special place for a few

months to really tackle this issuerdquo

Dr Keele coined the term ldquospecialrdquo as if I was 10 years old

and naiumlve enough to fall for his gentle tone when in fact it

was annoyingly patronising

ldquoGreendale Psychiatric Institute is a lovely place not far

from here It will help pull the reigns in on this problem

There is a room waiting for you and a roommate called Lisa

too You will have a blast and better yet you will be

happierrdquo

ldquoYou will be normal Lizrdquo my mother uttered

I will be normal I will be normal I will be normal No matter

how many times I replayed that word in my head it did not

make sense to me I was normal and it was demeaning of

my mother to use this mundane word as criteria she needed

my personality to hit It was demoralising and slowly I felt

the pain and anger in me boil to temperatures unknown

This woman had carried me for nine months essentially

brought me up and she had the nerve to stop treating me

like her child but rather some abnormal science project

She prodded at my feelings dissected my emotional hold on

life and burnt my will to live She did not understand me no

one did No one could gauge how difficult this was and how

burdened I felt

I will not go to Greendale I will not I will not I will not I was

determined

Unfortunately my determination was not enough Three

days later I was taken there kicking and screaming As the

taxi made its way down the path I caught sight of my

motherrsquos somewhat uplifted demeanour I could not distract

myself from the sense of relief that I had bestowed upon her

face It was heart-breaking that my mother my own flesh

and blood was so elated to see me go

mdashmdashmdash

Age 18

Present day Greendale

Breakfast was over and I traipsed back to my room Lisa

had a knitting lesson and I was lucky to be alone for an

hour I sat down on my bed causing the steel frame to

creak with agony I closed my eyes and felt my tears run

down my cheek I looked at myself in the mirror What I had

come to I was a beaten down run over person I was lost

and confused and my life had pushed me to boundaries I

did not know existed I could not do this anymore As I

reflected on my life I realised how little those around me

knew I felt no guilt for motherrsquos pain Keelersquos frustration and

for all the animals I tortured I guess this was Godrsquos way of

toying with me giving me less freedom than an animal The

four walls closed in on me and my body shook with fear I

needed to stop I needed to be free

Ripping a piece of paper out of my notebook I racked my

mind for words With a shaky hand I wrote

Mother

There was is nothing wrong with me

Elizabeth

Clasping the paper in my hand I carefully lay it on my

pillow I was ready for a change I was ready for a different

life where I did not need to deal with judging eyes and

whispering behind my back Slowly I stood on my chair and

looped my jogging bottoms round the curtain rail I tied it

around my neck feeling the waistline dig into it Smite me

almighty smiter

With that I closed my eyes and told myself I was ready

Stepping off I felt my lungs struggle I felt my legs kick

frantically I was panicking as life ebbed slowly from my

body I could have stopped it but I didnrsquot

For I needed change

17

LET GOhellipA P O E M B Y S O W M Y A K R I S H N A N

The flowers whispered a silent word

The hum in your ears was so unheard

The clouds too listened and shed a tear

The pain of separation is an intimate fear

The time of ever having to let go

The very moment when you try not to show

The emptiness your heart a bottomless pit

That spark in your eye no more seems lit

But the most painful part yet to come

They left you their faces still blossomed with fun

Just as much as you seemed shattered

To them it looked like it hardly mattered

Embracing each other they walked away

You grappled for a reason to make them stay

But then you saw you were alone in this

They didnrsquot seem to find anything amiss

You desired to see those smiling faces once more

Faces you used to see everyday at your door

Yoursquod held them so close once upon a time

But now ask yourself ldquoWere they ever really minerdquo

Its time to turn away too just leave them be

Maybe you saw a bond that they couldnrsquot see

A bond they didnrsquot mind breaking so

Yes theyrsquore not yours just let go

-SK

by Aswathy Kumar

Sowmya is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has recently moved to Chester to join her husband Prashant Menon who she married in December 2014 She has always enjoyed writing poetry and wishes she had more time to devote to it

18

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

I do not know what time it is My husband Subu seems to

have fallen asleep or has he I can see only the top of his

head his hands crossed over the book he was reading with

the page facing down on his chest and his folded knees The

ranthal light is still burning He has a watch but I donrsquot want

to disturb him Why should I know the time There is no

reason I donrsquot think I will get a wink of sleep tonight The

swaying of this vallam should rock me to sleep in normal

circumstances but not tonight I am travelling to a world

unknown to me I donrsquot know what to expect tomorrow and I

am scared

This is my first long journey with my husband There was a

lot of objection from my amma and ammavan Behind their

backs my younger brother Kavunni was the only one who

was supportive Subursquos amma was not happy at all but she

knew that he being a modern man would do only what he

wanted You could say that Ilsquom eloping with my husband of

19 years The family thinks that I was going with him to

Ambalapuzha Parthasarathi Temple for a pooja The journey

started in a kettuvallam from our village Our horse cart will

be waiting for us in Kollam to take us all the way to

Thiruvananthapuram and finally I am going to live with him

This terrible pain has been twisting and crushing both inside

and outside of my being making me feel worthless for the

past 13 years - since the death of my little girl Devaki I was

so lucky to fall pregnant at the age of 14 five years after our

veli and a year after consummation of marriage She was so

beautiful so perfect

Chettan Pottirsquos antharjanam had not been able to conceive

after years of veli and she is desperate to bear a child for

the family They have to have a boy to continue the family

take over their vast property and to pass on the

responsibility of doing all lsquoafter deathrsquo rites for ancestors of

bygone ages Chechi antharjanam used to whisper in my ear

secretly that she did not mind having a girl or a boy I had

been showing off my belly to her - making her feel the life

inside me Have I been secretly taunting her

Being a second child Subu had the freedom of leaving

Vellimana to continue his education where as his older

brother had a bit more restriction to his lifestyle At the time

of our veli Subu having already passed the 4th standard

examination was a teacher in the Padayanar Kulangara

government primary school He could handle Malayalam

Tamil and Sanskrit well and was a voracious reader He

made me learn the languages and brought me lots of books

A couple of years after Devursquos death Subu left to join his

father who was a sub registrar in Vaikom and he passed his

English matriculation examination from Kottayam CMS

school Helsquos now working as a tutor in Maharajas College

Thiruvananthapuram after taking his BA degree from there I

wanted him to stay in the village with me but he could not

quench his thirst for further knowledge living in our small

village Or was it an escape from the deep sorrow of losing a

child

There was another ambition as well A dedicated teacher at

the age of 16 he was loved by his students Once a school

inspector came to the school for inspection unannounced

Subu was a bit late after thevaram The inspector asked a

student a question and the young teacher standing behind

the inspector could not help giving the little one a clue The

inspector said ldquoPotti you are not fit to be a teacher maybe

you are just good enough to be a temple priest Go and do

ambala santhirdquo He was so annoyed that he made a promise

to himself to become an inspector one day So that could be

another reason to get away from the village

He was lucky he could leave the village and go far away

from where it happened But I had to stay back facing the

monotonous life each day He wanted me to go with him but

that was not allowed by the Kshatriya or Namboothiri society

and their customs even though you were following your

husband ldquoCome with me Ambika you donrsquot have to feel

guiltyrdquo he said I was very young and having heard of no one

leaving home before was not bold enough to go against my

mother and uncle So my life went on around our temple a

ldquoThat was the worst day of my life

13 long years agohelliprdquo

DAWNA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y S E T H U L E K S H M Y N A I R

towards a new

Sethulekshmy is a retired gynaecologist In her spare time she is a keen writer and artist as well as a doting ammumma to Bodhi and Tulsi

10

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

handful of cousins and kitchen and reading books until now

I was very lonely Often I hold my barren and cursed belly

and cry in solitude Subu came to me whenever he could

but that was not very often or enough for me If only I had

another child

That was the worst day in my life 13 long years ago Devu

was only 1frac12 years old and came running to me saying that

she was hungry I was busy in the kitchen getting the lunch

ready with amma I said ldquoCome and have a drink of my

milkrdquo She moved my rouka away and suckled When she

was satisfied she covered me I put the wooden spoon

down gave her a quick cuddle and kiss and said ldquoOff you

go dear and play Once ammarsquos hands are free I will find

you and play with yourdquo

Rice was ready to be drained and then I heard someone

shouting ldquoambotti amma kunjurdquo It was from the pond

side and I rushed outside Devu had fallen into the pond

How did she get there I had no idea Velu who was on the

top of the coconut palm heard something falling into the

water He saw the cart he had made for her that morning on

the side of the pond By the time I came out he had dived

into the water and had lifted her limp body up I just stood

there helpless unable to move Kavunni had taken over and

tried to help her to breath My body and mind went still and I

was unaware of what followed Next thing I remember was

hearing Subursquos sorrowful voice saying ldquoAmbika our Devu

has left us forever a gift given to us only for a short time

Do you want to come and see herrdquo

He supported me to get up and walk There she was in the

nalukettu all wrapped up in white cloth looking ever so

peaceful and beautiful with a burning nilavilakku by her side

I fainted again

Devursquos little face flashes in my mind whenever I think of

another child After each of Subursquos visit I offer a thumba

flower garland to Lord Siva asking for his blessings for a

child but then a couple of weeks later my hope perishes

Lord Siva has had lots of garlands from me Prayers were

the only one thing I could do and hope kept me going Subu

wrote the first Malayalam vilapa kavyam after her death He

has read it to me so many times and together we cry

reading it The pain we feel is beyond any explanation

For the past one year Subu has been gently persuading me

to go and live with him in Thiruvananthapuram He says

there is a big hospital in Thycaud where womenrsquos problems

are taken care of The hospital is run by white nurses and

doctors from England I believe that they will check me over

and say if I can have a child Amma antharjanam has been

giving chechi antharjanam and me ayurveda medicines

straight from her back garden to make us conceive for years

now If Lord Siva and she canrsquot help how can these white

doctors It took a year for Subu to make me say yes Only

yesterday he told me what these people might do to me

There was no turning back then All travel arrangements

have been made secretly between Subu and Kavunni

I am totally scared My trust is in my loving husband and the

Lord I cannot sleep at all I closed my eyes tight and said to

myself ldquothis is what I would do tomorrow just see my Lord

in my inner mind and offer him

another thumba garlandrdquo I felt a

pair of hands touching my

shivering tiny body He held

my hands in his big warm hands

and whispered ldquoWelsquore going to

have children lots of them

Their tiny noises will fill the

walls of your kovilakam again

Do not give up hope Now get

some sleep before dawnrdquo It was

very comforting but I know that

both of us will not get any sleep

tonight He dimmed the ranthal

light and the vallam swayed to

the rhythm of waves may be

towards a fresh dawn in my life

11

M A N A S I J A N A D A R A N

Manasi is in Year 11 at Trivandrum International School After many years of living in the UK she moved back to Kerala with her parents three years ago

I wake up at around seven in the weekends to see the stunning

Aakulam Lake surrounded by a dense canopy of coconut palms

After staring at the picturesque view for a couple of minutes I

climb out of bed and get dressed before heading down to see

whatrsquos for breakfast

After the usual disappointment in finding out that breakfast is the

regular omelette and fried banana I go down to the pool

Though itrsquos the morning the water is still warm because of the

unbearable heat outside and I still have time to do a few laps

before the sun rises fully

After swimming Irsquom forced to sit down and study for an hour or

two with the inevitable breaks in between These sessions are

impossible to avoid given that every child even a ten year old

has to write exams every month

Lunch is as usual rice dahl and thoran Some people may find

this a wonderful combination but personally for me itrsquos just a little

repetitive After lunch I have to take a twenty minute drive

towards the city

Many might believe a car journey is a peaceful time to relax and

stare out at the beautiful scenery outside but not here Any

opportunity I get to let my thoughts wander is disrupted by the

constant blaring of horns Though the ride is short I still

encounter several near death experiences as a cause of

reckless driving before arriving at my destination

I spend the next few hours in the city with my friends Usually we

pass the time in a restaurant or a cafeacute (no bowling alleys or ice-

skating rings in Trivandrum) often chatting about the unbearable

heat or the new shopping mall that is supposedly being built

Dinner is often spent at my cousinsrsquo house I spend the night

running around playing football and waiting for the food to cook

(rice again) Finally when we all sit at the table and begin eating

the peaceful atmosphere is disrupted by a few screams as we

see a lizard darting under the table After a few rounds of

running around the table trying to catch it we settle down again

to finish the meal

Lying in bed I often think about how the day has been Though

my average day here is pretty crazy and filled with unpleasant

surprises it makes my life much more interesting Itrsquos almost too

easy to fall asleephellipuntil a storm hits and the monsoon rain is

lashes against the window making sleeping a little harder

in theDAY LIFEa ofhellip

12

THE WORLD THROUGH KUMBAKARNANrsquoS EYEShellip

STRIPhellipthe cartoon

BY GEETHA MENON

for

ARTrsquoS SAKEB Y A N I T A P U L I Y A N K A L A T H

Many of us from Kerala are exposed to the creative arts in

some form or the other But how many of us know about

mural wall painting ndash the transformation of an uninteresting

surface wall to an unforgettable artistic experience How

many of us have seen these wall paintings amp wondered at

their timeless beauty intricate design and rich vibrant

colours

For the uninitiated a traditional Kerala mural is a painting

mainly seen on the walls ceilings of temples and palaces

They depict mostly gods goddesses saints kings nature

and scenes from our epics and Indian mythology It is an

exquisite art form

Do we know how these are created In the traditional style

of mural painting only vegetable colours and natural

pigments are used These can all be sourced locally in

Kerala

The first step in mural art is the meticulous preparation of

the wall The wall is prepared with a rough plastering of lime

and sand mixed with the juice of kadukkai or chunnambvelli

dissolved with palm sugar A smooth plaster with ground

cotton is then applied After 10 days 25 to 30 coats of lime

and tender coconut water is applied till the thickness of the

coat is as thin as a tamarind leaf The mural is painted only

once the wall is completely dry

The five basic colours used in mural painting are yellow

ochre red sap green indigo blue and black The black

colour is made from soot taken from oil lamps A light yellow

colouring is used for sketching instead of pencil and the

piece is perfected with thin black lines The fine brushes

used are made from the delicate blades of arrow grass

lsquoEyyam Pullursquo found in the rural areas of Kerala

Only a skilled artist can work on them for hours and the

motifs are drawn from the lsquoDhyana Slokasrsquo verbal images of

the deities It is often believed that the artist has a divine

vision (lsquoDivya Dhirshtirsquo) which he transforms from his mindrsquos

eye to create a masterpiece using his deftly creative hands

Today one can see some of these exquisite murals in the

Shiva temple of Ettumanoor Guruvayoor temple near

Trichur Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Trivandrum

Churches at Cheppad Alappuzha the Ramayana Murals of

Mattancherry Palace and many more

However in present times in order to bring mural art closer

home many artists have used different materials like

plywood terracotta bamboo and canvass to paint murals

This enables ordinary people like us to appreciate its beauty

Commercial viability has made it possible for talented artists

to use acrylic colours on the Kerala saree shirts and

churidar tops to replicate some of the murals and today

many hotel lobbies and shopping malls are adorned with

beautiful artistic pieces of mural allowing the common man

to experience this sublime art form

So the next time you visit your hometown be sure to look out

for these gems of creation that will fill your soul with artistic

elation

Anita has a Masters Degree in Public Management University of Madras India and is married to Darshan a Marine Pilot They live in Kent and in her spare time she enjoys gardening music crosswords community development yoga and Aerobics

Mural by an artist Ms Geetha from Trivandrum

13

WRONG WITH ME

Age 18

ldquoWake up Greendale Itrsquos 6am Wake uprdquo

The shrill orders screeched at me from beyond my bedroom

door I remain still as if deaf to my wake up call Clutching

the thin salmon coloured covers I stretch my neck in an

attempt to relieve myself from the agonising pain of only

having one pillow to sleep on Slowly I force myself to open

my lazy eyes and stare intently at the grey walls All that is

left now is to listen to my roommate Lisa snore and mutter

to herself in her sleep Pushing myself up into a comfortable

seated position I allow my surroundings to embed

themselves on to my brain A cold room that is occupied by

two beds two sinks two desks and a few of Lisarsquos knitting

books I rest my back against the walls and close my eyes

It was easy to shut my eyes and get lost in the never-

ending pitted blackness that conquered my eyelids

Sometimes I never wanted to open them Itrsquos my escape A

world that I can actually call mine I wallow in what feels like

silky black sheets and envisage a world where I can run

freely with no inhibitions The black fades seamlessly into a

green field dotted with idyllic flowers My neurons create the

feeling of the soles of my feet grazing against the ground as

I pelt through the field feeling the pulse of wind on my

cheek Liberation I donrsquot ever want to open my eyes I want

to stay in this world where I can control every minute detail

to a tee I am physics Without mercy for my soulrsquos rest a

heavy hand clouts upon my unsuspecting shoulder and

opening my eyes I see Lisa her eyes fixated on me Her

blonde short curly hair dishevelled and her eyelashes

coated thick in sleep What appeared to be unkempt

appearance was merely insanity masking the true beauty

beneath

I watched Lisa rub her eyes and sluggishly put on her white

plimsolls Despite being undernourished her scrawny body

moved as if she had masses of weight to carry the burden

of her emotional angst bringing her down Lisa looked at me

as if to say lsquoget a move onrsquo Cracking a half-hearted smile I

stared at my own white plimsolls at the foot of my bed They

seemed so far away so unreachable With a struggle I

stretched across and reached out for them

ldquoGreendale patients It is 630am Breakfast is in 10

minutesrdquo

It was time to get ready for the day ahead My heart

plummeted into the pit of my stomach and a wave of nausea

threw its slurry northward I felt the weight of my head on my

shoulders and slowly but surely my eyes started to fill up

with salty tears This is my life

ldquoYou readyrdquo asked Lisa Nodding I followed her out of

Room 13

My name is Elizabeth Mary Margaret and I am a Greendale

Psychiatric Institute patient

mdashmdashmdash

Age 12

This is my story The story of how a normal girl ended up in

a psychiatric ward (normal being the operative word) It all

began when I was 12 a tender adolescent teenager facing

the usual trials and tribulations that came with the age I

always knew that I was different to the other girls Whilst

they worried about their bodies and boys I worried about the

darker things in life things that would make your skin crawl

Infatuated by the mind of a murderer the motives of a rapist

the depression of an alcoholic I would allow myself to

wander hopelessly in their shoes Some may call it intuition

a natural curiosity for the darker things unknown but from a

very young age I knew that mine was no innocent interest

but a cynical unforgiving obsession An obsessive need that

I possessed compounded with jealousy

On the 12th April 1994 my life started to take a downward

spiral into the pits of my own dark unimaginable thoughts It

was my 12th birthday and what started of with cake and

presents quickly turned ugly as I had an encounter with the

A S H O R T S T O R Y B Y N E E T U N A I R

there is nothing

Neetu is currently finishing her degree in English Language amp Communication from Oxford Brookes University She is a keen writer and hopes to work in Forensics where she can combine her love of investigating crimes with her passion for writing

14

neighbourrsquos cat As my mother entertained party guests I

slowly slipped to the back of my garden where I would often

retreat to watch a busy ant farm I had created I took care

and had meticulously planned how my ant farm was to look

After three weeks of hard work I had reached my goal

Tending to them everyday I worked up a sweat making sure

they were all okay and as today was my birthday I decided to

spend as much time with them as possible Squatting down

next to them I watched them work and as I slowly became

engrossed in studying their movements Misty the

neighbourrsquos tabby walked over them ruining all my hard

work I remember how I felt clearly a huge rush of heat

overcoming my body My cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tears I clenched my fists and watched Misty as she

graciously ruined my masterpiece without a care in the

world It was unforgivable and cruel and as my mother

coined it ldquobad behaviourrdquo

I glared at Misty at which point my feline foe was staring

right back at me She was relentless in my eyes and her

ldquobad behaviourrdquo meant she had to pay Glancing back at my

mum confirming her attention was not on me I quickly

swiped the cat and ran into my wendy house where I

slammed her to the ground and bludgeoned her with a rock

killing her for what she did to my ant farm

To my dismay my mother saw Mistyrsquos dead body laying

under my hat that evening as she was cleaning up after my

party From then on I was summoned to counselling

mdashmdashmdash

Age 13

A year later I was branching into dangerous territory and

felt no guilt for my actions I wanted to cease mankind be

the last woman standing I wanted to be alone in complete

isolation For the past year I had mutilated over twelve

animals and my counsellor had referred me to a doctor who

was assigned to ldquodiagnoserdquo me Nothing was wrong with me

mdashmdashmdash

Age 17

ldquoElizabeth would you come down hererdquo my mother called

up to my room

My mother Jeanette Jane Margaret was a woman of great

standards She believed in keeping up appearances and

was bitterly ashamed of me She would never take me out

for I was a disturbed child and on the rare occasion she did I

would always end up ldquomisbehavingrdquo Mother believed in old-

fashioned customs banning me to my room when I was

naughty was a regularity in this household She did not want

to ever believe that something was wrong with me she

called it a phase The last four years had been turmoil for I

had done things that nightmares were made of I had

bludgeoned animals pushed my sister down the stairs in

rage lit my motherrsquos favourite dress on fire and been

excluded from school

But nothing was wrong with me I was just different

Misunderstood ldquoYesrdquo I asked monotonously avoiding eye

contact

ldquoDr Keele called He is making a house callrdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo

ldquoOh for heavens sake Elizabethrdquo my mothers voice trembled

with frustration fused with sadness

Dr Keele made regular house calls each one intensifying my

confusion

ldquoWhyrdquo I pushed for an answer

ldquoElizabeth you are ruining this familyrdquo Her harsh words

violently pierced my heart I stared back at her into her soul

She was evil she did not understand me

ldquoRuining this family This picture perfect family Howrdquo I

said containing my anger

ldquoHow HOW You are really going to stand there and ask

me such stupid questions I have tried to be patient tried to

listen and guide you But you do wrong You wonrsquot learn

Hiding you in this house for the past five years was a

mistake You are not normal Elizabeth Itrsquos time for a

changerdquo

ldquoA change What sort of changerdquo

ldquoYou need help For as long as I can remember you have

ldquoMy cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tearshelliprdquo

15

been hurting those around you Family friendshellipanimalsrdquo

My motherrsquos words cut me like a knife a sharp pain took

over my body It was anger it was hot and ready to unleash

itrsquos fire breathing dragon to burn her for her insolence

Nothing was wrong with me

At that moment Dr Keele rang the doorbell He was a

dishevelled looking man whose outward unkempt

appearance was no reflection of his intelligent mind I had

respect for him and he was the only one who would talk to

me in a free manner holding no fear in his facial expression

As my mother set down a cup of tea for him he began to

speak

ldquoElizabeth you are looking wellrdquo

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I was drained My

hair was up in a messy ponytail my glasses slipping off the

bridge of my nose It was 4pm and I was still in my pyjamas

Dr Keele was obviously trying to ease the tension in the

room with cheap insincere flattery

For a moment time stood still It was silent and I could feel

motherrsquos eyes on me like a hawk watching its prey Dr Keele

sighed as he took a sip of his tea and as he placed the cup

onto the table he started to rub his temples Leaning

forward he gave a warm smile bearing all of his pearly

whites He stared at me Some would say that the silence

was unbearable and awkward but I basked in it It was a

time that I had to just be and even though I knew I was the

subject of scrutiny it felt peaceful that no one was talking to

me or rather at me My mind drifted off into its own world

I imagined myself sitting in a park alone There were no

other children with me I watched the swings move back and

forth bouncing off the winds power The sky was grey and

the flowers had all wilted It was heaven As I looked around

the park it seemed simply beautiful that such tranquillity was

so easily achieved I examined every corner of the park and

could not help but feel excitement at how perfect it was As I

looked to the playground I noticed that a foul loathsome

creature interrupted the ambience I had created It was a

rabbit Blasted animals I slowly made my way over to the

four-legged freak I could not fathom how people deemed

this ghastly looking thing as cute and with that I swung my

leg back and kicked it in the neck Music came in the form of

its neck breaking as I had injured it Good I sat there

smiling to myself and the power I had held over this pathetic

defenceless creature

Suddenly I felt my mind slip out of this stream of

consciousness I had indulged in I realised that I was sitting

in my living room opposite Dr Keele and mother and a good

five minutes had gone and it was completely silent This was

an abnormality and instantly I knew something was wrong

At once I snapped back into the room and found mother and

Dr Keele whispering together I hated whispering it was

rude and unmannerly Dr Keele noticed that I wasnrsquot day

dreaming anymore

ldquoAh Elizabeth I am glad to see yoursquore backrdquo

I winced I could tell he was lying he was a doctor and this

was a job He was not ldquogladrdquo to see I was back he was

being superfluous

ldquoI expect you are wondering why it has been so quiet for so

longrdquo Dr Keele asked full of hope

ldquoNordquo I monotonously responded

ldquoElizabeth you are special and you have the ability to be

moulded into a wonderful woman You know that your

mother has been having a lot of trouble with you over the

past couple of years with your behavioural problems and I

havenrsquot seemed to knuckle down on a diagnosis for this

conduct you embodyrdquo

16

ldquoThere is nothing wrong with merdquo

ldquoOf courserdquo Dr Keele attempted to console me ldquoThere is

indeed nothing wrong with you but as your doctor I need to

do what is best for you and your motherrdquo I did not like

where this was going

ldquoSo after speaking to a few doctors at the surgery I think it

would be beneficial for you to go to a special place for a few

months to really tackle this issuerdquo

Dr Keele coined the term ldquospecialrdquo as if I was 10 years old

and naiumlve enough to fall for his gentle tone when in fact it

was annoyingly patronising

ldquoGreendale Psychiatric Institute is a lovely place not far

from here It will help pull the reigns in on this problem

There is a room waiting for you and a roommate called Lisa

too You will have a blast and better yet you will be

happierrdquo

ldquoYou will be normal Lizrdquo my mother uttered

I will be normal I will be normal I will be normal No matter

how many times I replayed that word in my head it did not

make sense to me I was normal and it was demeaning of

my mother to use this mundane word as criteria she needed

my personality to hit It was demoralising and slowly I felt

the pain and anger in me boil to temperatures unknown

This woman had carried me for nine months essentially

brought me up and she had the nerve to stop treating me

like her child but rather some abnormal science project

She prodded at my feelings dissected my emotional hold on

life and burnt my will to live She did not understand me no

one did No one could gauge how difficult this was and how

burdened I felt

I will not go to Greendale I will not I will not I will not I was

determined

Unfortunately my determination was not enough Three

days later I was taken there kicking and screaming As the

taxi made its way down the path I caught sight of my

motherrsquos somewhat uplifted demeanour I could not distract

myself from the sense of relief that I had bestowed upon her

face It was heart-breaking that my mother my own flesh

and blood was so elated to see me go

mdashmdashmdash

Age 18

Present day Greendale

Breakfast was over and I traipsed back to my room Lisa

had a knitting lesson and I was lucky to be alone for an

hour I sat down on my bed causing the steel frame to

creak with agony I closed my eyes and felt my tears run

down my cheek I looked at myself in the mirror What I had

come to I was a beaten down run over person I was lost

and confused and my life had pushed me to boundaries I

did not know existed I could not do this anymore As I

reflected on my life I realised how little those around me

knew I felt no guilt for motherrsquos pain Keelersquos frustration and

for all the animals I tortured I guess this was Godrsquos way of

toying with me giving me less freedom than an animal The

four walls closed in on me and my body shook with fear I

needed to stop I needed to be free

Ripping a piece of paper out of my notebook I racked my

mind for words With a shaky hand I wrote

Mother

There was is nothing wrong with me

Elizabeth

Clasping the paper in my hand I carefully lay it on my

pillow I was ready for a change I was ready for a different

life where I did not need to deal with judging eyes and

whispering behind my back Slowly I stood on my chair and

looped my jogging bottoms round the curtain rail I tied it

around my neck feeling the waistline dig into it Smite me

almighty smiter

With that I closed my eyes and told myself I was ready

Stepping off I felt my lungs struggle I felt my legs kick

frantically I was panicking as life ebbed slowly from my

body I could have stopped it but I didnrsquot

For I needed change

17

LET GOhellipA P O E M B Y S O W M Y A K R I S H N A N

The flowers whispered a silent word

The hum in your ears was so unheard

The clouds too listened and shed a tear

The pain of separation is an intimate fear

The time of ever having to let go

The very moment when you try not to show

The emptiness your heart a bottomless pit

That spark in your eye no more seems lit

But the most painful part yet to come

They left you their faces still blossomed with fun

Just as much as you seemed shattered

To them it looked like it hardly mattered

Embracing each other they walked away

You grappled for a reason to make them stay

But then you saw you were alone in this

They didnrsquot seem to find anything amiss

You desired to see those smiling faces once more

Faces you used to see everyday at your door

Yoursquod held them so close once upon a time

But now ask yourself ldquoWere they ever really minerdquo

Its time to turn away too just leave them be

Maybe you saw a bond that they couldnrsquot see

A bond they didnrsquot mind breaking so

Yes theyrsquore not yours just let go

-SK

by Aswathy Kumar

Sowmya is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has recently moved to Chester to join her husband Prashant Menon who she married in December 2014 She has always enjoyed writing poetry and wishes she had more time to devote to it

18

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

handful of cousins and kitchen and reading books until now

I was very lonely Often I hold my barren and cursed belly

and cry in solitude Subu came to me whenever he could

but that was not very often or enough for me If only I had

another child

That was the worst day in my life 13 long years ago Devu

was only 1frac12 years old and came running to me saying that

she was hungry I was busy in the kitchen getting the lunch

ready with amma I said ldquoCome and have a drink of my

milkrdquo She moved my rouka away and suckled When she

was satisfied she covered me I put the wooden spoon

down gave her a quick cuddle and kiss and said ldquoOff you

go dear and play Once ammarsquos hands are free I will find

you and play with yourdquo

Rice was ready to be drained and then I heard someone

shouting ldquoambotti amma kunjurdquo It was from the pond

side and I rushed outside Devu had fallen into the pond

How did she get there I had no idea Velu who was on the

top of the coconut palm heard something falling into the

water He saw the cart he had made for her that morning on

the side of the pond By the time I came out he had dived

into the water and had lifted her limp body up I just stood

there helpless unable to move Kavunni had taken over and

tried to help her to breath My body and mind went still and I

was unaware of what followed Next thing I remember was

hearing Subursquos sorrowful voice saying ldquoAmbika our Devu

has left us forever a gift given to us only for a short time

Do you want to come and see herrdquo

He supported me to get up and walk There she was in the

nalukettu all wrapped up in white cloth looking ever so

peaceful and beautiful with a burning nilavilakku by her side

I fainted again

Devursquos little face flashes in my mind whenever I think of

another child After each of Subursquos visit I offer a thumba

flower garland to Lord Siva asking for his blessings for a

child but then a couple of weeks later my hope perishes

Lord Siva has had lots of garlands from me Prayers were

the only one thing I could do and hope kept me going Subu

wrote the first Malayalam vilapa kavyam after her death He

has read it to me so many times and together we cry

reading it The pain we feel is beyond any explanation

For the past one year Subu has been gently persuading me

to go and live with him in Thiruvananthapuram He says

there is a big hospital in Thycaud where womenrsquos problems

are taken care of The hospital is run by white nurses and

doctors from England I believe that they will check me over

and say if I can have a child Amma antharjanam has been

giving chechi antharjanam and me ayurveda medicines

straight from her back garden to make us conceive for years

now If Lord Siva and she canrsquot help how can these white

doctors It took a year for Subu to make me say yes Only

yesterday he told me what these people might do to me

There was no turning back then All travel arrangements

have been made secretly between Subu and Kavunni

I am totally scared My trust is in my loving husband and the

Lord I cannot sleep at all I closed my eyes tight and said to

myself ldquothis is what I would do tomorrow just see my Lord

in my inner mind and offer him

another thumba garlandrdquo I felt a

pair of hands touching my

shivering tiny body He held

my hands in his big warm hands

and whispered ldquoWelsquore going to

have children lots of them

Their tiny noises will fill the

walls of your kovilakam again

Do not give up hope Now get

some sleep before dawnrdquo It was

very comforting but I know that

both of us will not get any sleep

tonight He dimmed the ranthal

light and the vallam swayed to

the rhythm of waves may be

towards a fresh dawn in my life

11

M A N A S I J A N A D A R A N

Manasi is in Year 11 at Trivandrum International School After many years of living in the UK she moved back to Kerala with her parents three years ago

I wake up at around seven in the weekends to see the stunning

Aakulam Lake surrounded by a dense canopy of coconut palms

After staring at the picturesque view for a couple of minutes I

climb out of bed and get dressed before heading down to see

whatrsquos for breakfast

After the usual disappointment in finding out that breakfast is the

regular omelette and fried banana I go down to the pool

Though itrsquos the morning the water is still warm because of the

unbearable heat outside and I still have time to do a few laps

before the sun rises fully

After swimming Irsquom forced to sit down and study for an hour or

two with the inevitable breaks in between These sessions are

impossible to avoid given that every child even a ten year old

has to write exams every month

Lunch is as usual rice dahl and thoran Some people may find

this a wonderful combination but personally for me itrsquos just a little

repetitive After lunch I have to take a twenty minute drive

towards the city

Many might believe a car journey is a peaceful time to relax and

stare out at the beautiful scenery outside but not here Any

opportunity I get to let my thoughts wander is disrupted by the

constant blaring of horns Though the ride is short I still

encounter several near death experiences as a cause of

reckless driving before arriving at my destination

I spend the next few hours in the city with my friends Usually we

pass the time in a restaurant or a cafeacute (no bowling alleys or ice-

skating rings in Trivandrum) often chatting about the unbearable

heat or the new shopping mall that is supposedly being built

Dinner is often spent at my cousinsrsquo house I spend the night

running around playing football and waiting for the food to cook

(rice again) Finally when we all sit at the table and begin eating

the peaceful atmosphere is disrupted by a few screams as we

see a lizard darting under the table After a few rounds of

running around the table trying to catch it we settle down again

to finish the meal

Lying in bed I often think about how the day has been Though

my average day here is pretty crazy and filled with unpleasant

surprises it makes my life much more interesting Itrsquos almost too

easy to fall asleephellipuntil a storm hits and the monsoon rain is

lashes against the window making sleeping a little harder

in theDAY LIFEa ofhellip

12

THE WORLD THROUGH KUMBAKARNANrsquoS EYEShellip

STRIPhellipthe cartoon

BY GEETHA MENON

for

ARTrsquoS SAKEB Y A N I T A P U L I Y A N K A L A T H

Many of us from Kerala are exposed to the creative arts in

some form or the other But how many of us know about

mural wall painting ndash the transformation of an uninteresting

surface wall to an unforgettable artistic experience How

many of us have seen these wall paintings amp wondered at

their timeless beauty intricate design and rich vibrant

colours

For the uninitiated a traditional Kerala mural is a painting

mainly seen on the walls ceilings of temples and palaces

They depict mostly gods goddesses saints kings nature

and scenes from our epics and Indian mythology It is an

exquisite art form

Do we know how these are created In the traditional style

of mural painting only vegetable colours and natural

pigments are used These can all be sourced locally in

Kerala

The first step in mural art is the meticulous preparation of

the wall The wall is prepared with a rough plastering of lime

and sand mixed with the juice of kadukkai or chunnambvelli

dissolved with palm sugar A smooth plaster with ground

cotton is then applied After 10 days 25 to 30 coats of lime

and tender coconut water is applied till the thickness of the

coat is as thin as a tamarind leaf The mural is painted only

once the wall is completely dry

The five basic colours used in mural painting are yellow

ochre red sap green indigo blue and black The black

colour is made from soot taken from oil lamps A light yellow

colouring is used for sketching instead of pencil and the

piece is perfected with thin black lines The fine brushes

used are made from the delicate blades of arrow grass

lsquoEyyam Pullursquo found in the rural areas of Kerala

Only a skilled artist can work on them for hours and the

motifs are drawn from the lsquoDhyana Slokasrsquo verbal images of

the deities It is often believed that the artist has a divine

vision (lsquoDivya Dhirshtirsquo) which he transforms from his mindrsquos

eye to create a masterpiece using his deftly creative hands

Today one can see some of these exquisite murals in the

Shiva temple of Ettumanoor Guruvayoor temple near

Trichur Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Trivandrum

Churches at Cheppad Alappuzha the Ramayana Murals of

Mattancherry Palace and many more

However in present times in order to bring mural art closer

home many artists have used different materials like

plywood terracotta bamboo and canvass to paint murals

This enables ordinary people like us to appreciate its beauty

Commercial viability has made it possible for talented artists

to use acrylic colours on the Kerala saree shirts and

churidar tops to replicate some of the murals and today

many hotel lobbies and shopping malls are adorned with

beautiful artistic pieces of mural allowing the common man

to experience this sublime art form

So the next time you visit your hometown be sure to look out

for these gems of creation that will fill your soul with artistic

elation

Anita has a Masters Degree in Public Management University of Madras India and is married to Darshan a Marine Pilot They live in Kent and in her spare time she enjoys gardening music crosswords community development yoga and Aerobics

Mural by an artist Ms Geetha from Trivandrum

13

WRONG WITH ME

Age 18

ldquoWake up Greendale Itrsquos 6am Wake uprdquo

The shrill orders screeched at me from beyond my bedroom

door I remain still as if deaf to my wake up call Clutching

the thin salmon coloured covers I stretch my neck in an

attempt to relieve myself from the agonising pain of only

having one pillow to sleep on Slowly I force myself to open

my lazy eyes and stare intently at the grey walls All that is

left now is to listen to my roommate Lisa snore and mutter

to herself in her sleep Pushing myself up into a comfortable

seated position I allow my surroundings to embed

themselves on to my brain A cold room that is occupied by

two beds two sinks two desks and a few of Lisarsquos knitting

books I rest my back against the walls and close my eyes

It was easy to shut my eyes and get lost in the never-

ending pitted blackness that conquered my eyelids

Sometimes I never wanted to open them Itrsquos my escape A

world that I can actually call mine I wallow in what feels like

silky black sheets and envisage a world where I can run

freely with no inhibitions The black fades seamlessly into a

green field dotted with idyllic flowers My neurons create the

feeling of the soles of my feet grazing against the ground as

I pelt through the field feeling the pulse of wind on my

cheek Liberation I donrsquot ever want to open my eyes I want

to stay in this world where I can control every minute detail

to a tee I am physics Without mercy for my soulrsquos rest a

heavy hand clouts upon my unsuspecting shoulder and

opening my eyes I see Lisa her eyes fixated on me Her

blonde short curly hair dishevelled and her eyelashes

coated thick in sleep What appeared to be unkempt

appearance was merely insanity masking the true beauty

beneath

I watched Lisa rub her eyes and sluggishly put on her white

plimsolls Despite being undernourished her scrawny body

moved as if she had masses of weight to carry the burden

of her emotional angst bringing her down Lisa looked at me

as if to say lsquoget a move onrsquo Cracking a half-hearted smile I

stared at my own white plimsolls at the foot of my bed They

seemed so far away so unreachable With a struggle I

stretched across and reached out for them

ldquoGreendale patients It is 630am Breakfast is in 10

minutesrdquo

It was time to get ready for the day ahead My heart

plummeted into the pit of my stomach and a wave of nausea

threw its slurry northward I felt the weight of my head on my

shoulders and slowly but surely my eyes started to fill up

with salty tears This is my life

ldquoYou readyrdquo asked Lisa Nodding I followed her out of

Room 13

My name is Elizabeth Mary Margaret and I am a Greendale

Psychiatric Institute patient

mdashmdashmdash

Age 12

This is my story The story of how a normal girl ended up in

a psychiatric ward (normal being the operative word) It all

began when I was 12 a tender adolescent teenager facing

the usual trials and tribulations that came with the age I

always knew that I was different to the other girls Whilst

they worried about their bodies and boys I worried about the

darker things in life things that would make your skin crawl

Infatuated by the mind of a murderer the motives of a rapist

the depression of an alcoholic I would allow myself to

wander hopelessly in their shoes Some may call it intuition

a natural curiosity for the darker things unknown but from a

very young age I knew that mine was no innocent interest

but a cynical unforgiving obsession An obsessive need that

I possessed compounded with jealousy

On the 12th April 1994 my life started to take a downward

spiral into the pits of my own dark unimaginable thoughts It

was my 12th birthday and what started of with cake and

presents quickly turned ugly as I had an encounter with the

A S H O R T S T O R Y B Y N E E T U N A I R

there is nothing

Neetu is currently finishing her degree in English Language amp Communication from Oxford Brookes University She is a keen writer and hopes to work in Forensics where she can combine her love of investigating crimes with her passion for writing

14

neighbourrsquos cat As my mother entertained party guests I

slowly slipped to the back of my garden where I would often

retreat to watch a busy ant farm I had created I took care

and had meticulously planned how my ant farm was to look

After three weeks of hard work I had reached my goal

Tending to them everyday I worked up a sweat making sure

they were all okay and as today was my birthday I decided to

spend as much time with them as possible Squatting down

next to them I watched them work and as I slowly became

engrossed in studying their movements Misty the

neighbourrsquos tabby walked over them ruining all my hard

work I remember how I felt clearly a huge rush of heat

overcoming my body My cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tears I clenched my fists and watched Misty as she

graciously ruined my masterpiece without a care in the

world It was unforgivable and cruel and as my mother

coined it ldquobad behaviourrdquo

I glared at Misty at which point my feline foe was staring

right back at me She was relentless in my eyes and her

ldquobad behaviourrdquo meant she had to pay Glancing back at my

mum confirming her attention was not on me I quickly

swiped the cat and ran into my wendy house where I

slammed her to the ground and bludgeoned her with a rock

killing her for what she did to my ant farm

To my dismay my mother saw Mistyrsquos dead body laying

under my hat that evening as she was cleaning up after my

party From then on I was summoned to counselling

mdashmdashmdash

Age 13

A year later I was branching into dangerous territory and

felt no guilt for my actions I wanted to cease mankind be

the last woman standing I wanted to be alone in complete

isolation For the past year I had mutilated over twelve

animals and my counsellor had referred me to a doctor who

was assigned to ldquodiagnoserdquo me Nothing was wrong with me

mdashmdashmdash

Age 17

ldquoElizabeth would you come down hererdquo my mother called

up to my room

My mother Jeanette Jane Margaret was a woman of great

standards She believed in keeping up appearances and

was bitterly ashamed of me She would never take me out

for I was a disturbed child and on the rare occasion she did I

would always end up ldquomisbehavingrdquo Mother believed in old-

fashioned customs banning me to my room when I was

naughty was a regularity in this household She did not want

to ever believe that something was wrong with me she

called it a phase The last four years had been turmoil for I

had done things that nightmares were made of I had

bludgeoned animals pushed my sister down the stairs in

rage lit my motherrsquos favourite dress on fire and been

excluded from school

But nothing was wrong with me I was just different

Misunderstood ldquoYesrdquo I asked monotonously avoiding eye

contact

ldquoDr Keele called He is making a house callrdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo

ldquoOh for heavens sake Elizabethrdquo my mothers voice trembled

with frustration fused with sadness

Dr Keele made regular house calls each one intensifying my

confusion

ldquoWhyrdquo I pushed for an answer

ldquoElizabeth you are ruining this familyrdquo Her harsh words

violently pierced my heart I stared back at her into her soul

She was evil she did not understand me

ldquoRuining this family This picture perfect family Howrdquo I

said containing my anger

ldquoHow HOW You are really going to stand there and ask

me such stupid questions I have tried to be patient tried to

listen and guide you But you do wrong You wonrsquot learn

Hiding you in this house for the past five years was a

mistake You are not normal Elizabeth Itrsquos time for a

changerdquo

ldquoA change What sort of changerdquo

ldquoYou need help For as long as I can remember you have

ldquoMy cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tearshelliprdquo

15

been hurting those around you Family friendshellipanimalsrdquo

My motherrsquos words cut me like a knife a sharp pain took

over my body It was anger it was hot and ready to unleash

itrsquos fire breathing dragon to burn her for her insolence

Nothing was wrong with me

At that moment Dr Keele rang the doorbell He was a

dishevelled looking man whose outward unkempt

appearance was no reflection of his intelligent mind I had

respect for him and he was the only one who would talk to

me in a free manner holding no fear in his facial expression

As my mother set down a cup of tea for him he began to

speak

ldquoElizabeth you are looking wellrdquo

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I was drained My

hair was up in a messy ponytail my glasses slipping off the

bridge of my nose It was 4pm and I was still in my pyjamas

Dr Keele was obviously trying to ease the tension in the

room with cheap insincere flattery

For a moment time stood still It was silent and I could feel

motherrsquos eyes on me like a hawk watching its prey Dr Keele

sighed as he took a sip of his tea and as he placed the cup

onto the table he started to rub his temples Leaning

forward he gave a warm smile bearing all of his pearly

whites He stared at me Some would say that the silence

was unbearable and awkward but I basked in it It was a

time that I had to just be and even though I knew I was the

subject of scrutiny it felt peaceful that no one was talking to

me or rather at me My mind drifted off into its own world

I imagined myself sitting in a park alone There were no

other children with me I watched the swings move back and

forth bouncing off the winds power The sky was grey and

the flowers had all wilted It was heaven As I looked around

the park it seemed simply beautiful that such tranquillity was

so easily achieved I examined every corner of the park and

could not help but feel excitement at how perfect it was As I

looked to the playground I noticed that a foul loathsome

creature interrupted the ambience I had created It was a

rabbit Blasted animals I slowly made my way over to the

four-legged freak I could not fathom how people deemed

this ghastly looking thing as cute and with that I swung my

leg back and kicked it in the neck Music came in the form of

its neck breaking as I had injured it Good I sat there

smiling to myself and the power I had held over this pathetic

defenceless creature

Suddenly I felt my mind slip out of this stream of

consciousness I had indulged in I realised that I was sitting

in my living room opposite Dr Keele and mother and a good

five minutes had gone and it was completely silent This was

an abnormality and instantly I knew something was wrong

At once I snapped back into the room and found mother and

Dr Keele whispering together I hated whispering it was

rude and unmannerly Dr Keele noticed that I wasnrsquot day

dreaming anymore

ldquoAh Elizabeth I am glad to see yoursquore backrdquo

I winced I could tell he was lying he was a doctor and this

was a job He was not ldquogladrdquo to see I was back he was

being superfluous

ldquoI expect you are wondering why it has been so quiet for so

longrdquo Dr Keele asked full of hope

ldquoNordquo I monotonously responded

ldquoElizabeth you are special and you have the ability to be

moulded into a wonderful woman You know that your

mother has been having a lot of trouble with you over the

past couple of years with your behavioural problems and I

havenrsquot seemed to knuckle down on a diagnosis for this

conduct you embodyrdquo

16

ldquoThere is nothing wrong with merdquo

ldquoOf courserdquo Dr Keele attempted to console me ldquoThere is

indeed nothing wrong with you but as your doctor I need to

do what is best for you and your motherrdquo I did not like

where this was going

ldquoSo after speaking to a few doctors at the surgery I think it

would be beneficial for you to go to a special place for a few

months to really tackle this issuerdquo

Dr Keele coined the term ldquospecialrdquo as if I was 10 years old

and naiumlve enough to fall for his gentle tone when in fact it

was annoyingly patronising

ldquoGreendale Psychiatric Institute is a lovely place not far

from here It will help pull the reigns in on this problem

There is a room waiting for you and a roommate called Lisa

too You will have a blast and better yet you will be

happierrdquo

ldquoYou will be normal Lizrdquo my mother uttered

I will be normal I will be normal I will be normal No matter

how many times I replayed that word in my head it did not

make sense to me I was normal and it was demeaning of

my mother to use this mundane word as criteria she needed

my personality to hit It was demoralising and slowly I felt

the pain and anger in me boil to temperatures unknown

This woman had carried me for nine months essentially

brought me up and she had the nerve to stop treating me

like her child but rather some abnormal science project

She prodded at my feelings dissected my emotional hold on

life and burnt my will to live She did not understand me no

one did No one could gauge how difficult this was and how

burdened I felt

I will not go to Greendale I will not I will not I will not I was

determined

Unfortunately my determination was not enough Three

days later I was taken there kicking and screaming As the

taxi made its way down the path I caught sight of my

motherrsquos somewhat uplifted demeanour I could not distract

myself from the sense of relief that I had bestowed upon her

face It was heart-breaking that my mother my own flesh

and blood was so elated to see me go

mdashmdashmdash

Age 18

Present day Greendale

Breakfast was over and I traipsed back to my room Lisa

had a knitting lesson and I was lucky to be alone for an

hour I sat down on my bed causing the steel frame to

creak with agony I closed my eyes and felt my tears run

down my cheek I looked at myself in the mirror What I had

come to I was a beaten down run over person I was lost

and confused and my life had pushed me to boundaries I

did not know existed I could not do this anymore As I

reflected on my life I realised how little those around me

knew I felt no guilt for motherrsquos pain Keelersquos frustration and

for all the animals I tortured I guess this was Godrsquos way of

toying with me giving me less freedom than an animal The

four walls closed in on me and my body shook with fear I

needed to stop I needed to be free

Ripping a piece of paper out of my notebook I racked my

mind for words With a shaky hand I wrote

Mother

There was is nothing wrong with me

Elizabeth

Clasping the paper in my hand I carefully lay it on my

pillow I was ready for a change I was ready for a different

life where I did not need to deal with judging eyes and

whispering behind my back Slowly I stood on my chair and

looped my jogging bottoms round the curtain rail I tied it

around my neck feeling the waistline dig into it Smite me

almighty smiter

With that I closed my eyes and told myself I was ready

Stepping off I felt my lungs struggle I felt my legs kick

frantically I was panicking as life ebbed slowly from my

body I could have stopped it but I didnrsquot

For I needed change

17

LET GOhellipA P O E M B Y S O W M Y A K R I S H N A N

The flowers whispered a silent word

The hum in your ears was so unheard

The clouds too listened and shed a tear

The pain of separation is an intimate fear

The time of ever having to let go

The very moment when you try not to show

The emptiness your heart a bottomless pit

That spark in your eye no more seems lit

But the most painful part yet to come

They left you their faces still blossomed with fun

Just as much as you seemed shattered

To them it looked like it hardly mattered

Embracing each other they walked away

You grappled for a reason to make them stay

But then you saw you were alone in this

They didnrsquot seem to find anything amiss

You desired to see those smiling faces once more

Faces you used to see everyday at your door

Yoursquod held them so close once upon a time

But now ask yourself ldquoWere they ever really minerdquo

Its time to turn away too just leave them be

Maybe you saw a bond that they couldnrsquot see

A bond they didnrsquot mind breaking so

Yes theyrsquore not yours just let go

-SK

by Aswathy Kumar

Sowmya is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has recently moved to Chester to join her husband Prashant Menon who she married in December 2014 She has always enjoyed writing poetry and wishes she had more time to devote to it

18

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

M A N A S I J A N A D A R A N

Manasi is in Year 11 at Trivandrum International School After many years of living in the UK she moved back to Kerala with her parents three years ago

I wake up at around seven in the weekends to see the stunning

Aakulam Lake surrounded by a dense canopy of coconut palms

After staring at the picturesque view for a couple of minutes I

climb out of bed and get dressed before heading down to see

whatrsquos for breakfast

After the usual disappointment in finding out that breakfast is the

regular omelette and fried banana I go down to the pool

Though itrsquos the morning the water is still warm because of the

unbearable heat outside and I still have time to do a few laps

before the sun rises fully

After swimming Irsquom forced to sit down and study for an hour or

two with the inevitable breaks in between These sessions are

impossible to avoid given that every child even a ten year old

has to write exams every month

Lunch is as usual rice dahl and thoran Some people may find

this a wonderful combination but personally for me itrsquos just a little

repetitive After lunch I have to take a twenty minute drive

towards the city

Many might believe a car journey is a peaceful time to relax and

stare out at the beautiful scenery outside but not here Any

opportunity I get to let my thoughts wander is disrupted by the

constant blaring of horns Though the ride is short I still

encounter several near death experiences as a cause of

reckless driving before arriving at my destination

I spend the next few hours in the city with my friends Usually we

pass the time in a restaurant or a cafeacute (no bowling alleys or ice-

skating rings in Trivandrum) often chatting about the unbearable

heat or the new shopping mall that is supposedly being built

Dinner is often spent at my cousinsrsquo house I spend the night

running around playing football and waiting for the food to cook

(rice again) Finally when we all sit at the table and begin eating

the peaceful atmosphere is disrupted by a few screams as we

see a lizard darting under the table After a few rounds of

running around the table trying to catch it we settle down again

to finish the meal

Lying in bed I often think about how the day has been Though

my average day here is pretty crazy and filled with unpleasant

surprises it makes my life much more interesting Itrsquos almost too

easy to fall asleephellipuntil a storm hits and the monsoon rain is

lashes against the window making sleeping a little harder

in theDAY LIFEa ofhellip

12

THE WORLD THROUGH KUMBAKARNANrsquoS EYEShellip

STRIPhellipthe cartoon

BY GEETHA MENON

for

ARTrsquoS SAKEB Y A N I T A P U L I Y A N K A L A T H

Many of us from Kerala are exposed to the creative arts in

some form or the other But how many of us know about

mural wall painting ndash the transformation of an uninteresting

surface wall to an unforgettable artistic experience How

many of us have seen these wall paintings amp wondered at

their timeless beauty intricate design and rich vibrant

colours

For the uninitiated a traditional Kerala mural is a painting

mainly seen on the walls ceilings of temples and palaces

They depict mostly gods goddesses saints kings nature

and scenes from our epics and Indian mythology It is an

exquisite art form

Do we know how these are created In the traditional style

of mural painting only vegetable colours and natural

pigments are used These can all be sourced locally in

Kerala

The first step in mural art is the meticulous preparation of

the wall The wall is prepared with a rough plastering of lime

and sand mixed with the juice of kadukkai or chunnambvelli

dissolved with palm sugar A smooth plaster with ground

cotton is then applied After 10 days 25 to 30 coats of lime

and tender coconut water is applied till the thickness of the

coat is as thin as a tamarind leaf The mural is painted only

once the wall is completely dry

The five basic colours used in mural painting are yellow

ochre red sap green indigo blue and black The black

colour is made from soot taken from oil lamps A light yellow

colouring is used for sketching instead of pencil and the

piece is perfected with thin black lines The fine brushes

used are made from the delicate blades of arrow grass

lsquoEyyam Pullursquo found in the rural areas of Kerala

Only a skilled artist can work on them for hours and the

motifs are drawn from the lsquoDhyana Slokasrsquo verbal images of

the deities It is often believed that the artist has a divine

vision (lsquoDivya Dhirshtirsquo) which he transforms from his mindrsquos

eye to create a masterpiece using his deftly creative hands

Today one can see some of these exquisite murals in the

Shiva temple of Ettumanoor Guruvayoor temple near

Trichur Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Trivandrum

Churches at Cheppad Alappuzha the Ramayana Murals of

Mattancherry Palace and many more

However in present times in order to bring mural art closer

home many artists have used different materials like

plywood terracotta bamboo and canvass to paint murals

This enables ordinary people like us to appreciate its beauty

Commercial viability has made it possible for talented artists

to use acrylic colours on the Kerala saree shirts and

churidar tops to replicate some of the murals and today

many hotel lobbies and shopping malls are adorned with

beautiful artistic pieces of mural allowing the common man

to experience this sublime art form

So the next time you visit your hometown be sure to look out

for these gems of creation that will fill your soul with artistic

elation

Anita has a Masters Degree in Public Management University of Madras India and is married to Darshan a Marine Pilot They live in Kent and in her spare time she enjoys gardening music crosswords community development yoga and Aerobics

Mural by an artist Ms Geetha from Trivandrum

13

WRONG WITH ME

Age 18

ldquoWake up Greendale Itrsquos 6am Wake uprdquo

The shrill orders screeched at me from beyond my bedroom

door I remain still as if deaf to my wake up call Clutching

the thin salmon coloured covers I stretch my neck in an

attempt to relieve myself from the agonising pain of only

having one pillow to sleep on Slowly I force myself to open

my lazy eyes and stare intently at the grey walls All that is

left now is to listen to my roommate Lisa snore and mutter

to herself in her sleep Pushing myself up into a comfortable

seated position I allow my surroundings to embed

themselves on to my brain A cold room that is occupied by

two beds two sinks two desks and a few of Lisarsquos knitting

books I rest my back against the walls and close my eyes

It was easy to shut my eyes and get lost in the never-

ending pitted blackness that conquered my eyelids

Sometimes I never wanted to open them Itrsquos my escape A

world that I can actually call mine I wallow in what feels like

silky black sheets and envisage a world where I can run

freely with no inhibitions The black fades seamlessly into a

green field dotted with idyllic flowers My neurons create the

feeling of the soles of my feet grazing against the ground as

I pelt through the field feeling the pulse of wind on my

cheek Liberation I donrsquot ever want to open my eyes I want

to stay in this world where I can control every minute detail

to a tee I am physics Without mercy for my soulrsquos rest a

heavy hand clouts upon my unsuspecting shoulder and

opening my eyes I see Lisa her eyes fixated on me Her

blonde short curly hair dishevelled and her eyelashes

coated thick in sleep What appeared to be unkempt

appearance was merely insanity masking the true beauty

beneath

I watched Lisa rub her eyes and sluggishly put on her white

plimsolls Despite being undernourished her scrawny body

moved as if she had masses of weight to carry the burden

of her emotional angst bringing her down Lisa looked at me

as if to say lsquoget a move onrsquo Cracking a half-hearted smile I

stared at my own white plimsolls at the foot of my bed They

seemed so far away so unreachable With a struggle I

stretched across and reached out for them

ldquoGreendale patients It is 630am Breakfast is in 10

minutesrdquo

It was time to get ready for the day ahead My heart

plummeted into the pit of my stomach and a wave of nausea

threw its slurry northward I felt the weight of my head on my

shoulders and slowly but surely my eyes started to fill up

with salty tears This is my life

ldquoYou readyrdquo asked Lisa Nodding I followed her out of

Room 13

My name is Elizabeth Mary Margaret and I am a Greendale

Psychiatric Institute patient

mdashmdashmdash

Age 12

This is my story The story of how a normal girl ended up in

a psychiatric ward (normal being the operative word) It all

began when I was 12 a tender adolescent teenager facing

the usual trials and tribulations that came with the age I

always knew that I was different to the other girls Whilst

they worried about their bodies and boys I worried about the

darker things in life things that would make your skin crawl

Infatuated by the mind of a murderer the motives of a rapist

the depression of an alcoholic I would allow myself to

wander hopelessly in their shoes Some may call it intuition

a natural curiosity for the darker things unknown but from a

very young age I knew that mine was no innocent interest

but a cynical unforgiving obsession An obsessive need that

I possessed compounded with jealousy

On the 12th April 1994 my life started to take a downward

spiral into the pits of my own dark unimaginable thoughts It

was my 12th birthday and what started of with cake and

presents quickly turned ugly as I had an encounter with the

A S H O R T S T O R Y B Y N E E T U N A I R

there is nothing

Neetu is currently finishing her degree in English Language amp Communication from Oxford Brookes University She is a keen writer and hopes to work in Forensics where she can combine her love of investigating crimes with her passion for writing

14

neighbourrsquos cat As my mother entertained party guests I

slowly slipped to the back of my garden where I would often

retreat to watch a busy ant farm I had created I took care

and had meticulously planned how my ant farm was to look

After three weeks of hard work I had reached my goal

Tending to them everyday I worked up a sweat making sure

they were all okay and as today was my birthday I decided to

spend as much time with them as possible Squatting down

next to them I watched them work and as I slowly became

engrossed in studying their movements Misty the

neighbourrsquos tabby walked over them ruining all my hard

work I remember how I felt clearly a huge rush of heat

overcoming my body My cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tears I clenched my fists and watched Misty as she

graciously ruined my masterpiece without a care in the

world It was unforgivable and cruel and as my mother

coined it ldquobad behaviourrdquo

I glared at Misty at which point my feline foe was staring

right back at me She was relentless in my eyes and her

ldquobad behaviourrdquo meant she had to pay Glancing back at my

mum confirming her attention was not on me I quickly

swiped the cat and ran into my wendy house where I

slammed her to the ground and bludgeoned her with a rock

killing her for what she did to my ant farm

To my dismay my mother saw Mistyrsquos dead body laying

under my hat that evening as she was cleaning up after my

party From then on I was summoned to counselling

mdashmdashmdash

Age 13

A year later I was branching into dangerous territory and

felt no guilt for my actions I wanted to cease mankind be

the last woman standing I wanted to be alone in complete

isolation For the past year I had mutilated over twelve

animals and my counsellor had referred me to a doctor who

was assigned to ldquodiagnoserdquo me Nothing was wrong with me

mdashmdashmdash

Age 17

ldquoElizabeth would you come down hererdquo my mother called

up to my room

My mother Jeanette Jane Margaret was a woman of great

standards She believed in keeping up appearances and

was bitterly ashamed of me She would never take me out

for I was a disturbed child and on the rare occasion she did I

would always end up ldquomisbehavingrdquo Mother believed in old-

fashioned customs banning me to my room when I was

naughty was a regularity in this household She did not want

to ever believe that something was wrong with me she

called it a phase The last four years had been turmoil for I

had done things that nightmares were made of I had

bludgeoned animals pushed my sister down the stairs in

rage lit my motherrsquos favourite dress on fire and been

excluded from school

But nothing was wrong with me I was just different

Misunderstood ldquoYesrdquo I asked monotonously avoiding eye

contact

ldquoDr Keele called He is making a house callrdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo

ldquoOh for heavens sake Elizabethrdquo my mothers voice trembled

with frustration fused with sadness

Dr Keele made regular house calls each one intensifying my

confusion

ldquoWhyrdquo I pushed for an answer

ldquoElizabeth you are ruining this familyrdquo Her harsh words

violently pierced my heart I stared back at her into her soul

She was evil she did not understand me

ldquoRuining this family This picture perfect family Howrdquo I

said containing my anger

ldquoHow HOW You are really going to stand there and ask

me such stupid questions I have tried to be patient tried to

listen and guide you But you do wrong You wonrsquot learn

Hiding you in this house for the past five years was a

mistake You are not normal Elizabeth Itrsquos time for a

changerdquo

ldquoA change What sort of changerdquo

ldquoYou need help For as long as I can remember you have

ldquoMy cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tearshelliprdquo

15

been hurting those around you Family friendshellipanimalsrdquo

My motherrsquos words cut me like a knife a sharp pain took

over my body It was anger it was hot and ready to unleash

itrsquos fire breathing dragon to burn her for her insolence

Nothing was wrong with me

At that moment Dr Keele rang the doorbell He was a

dishevelled looking man whose outward unkempt

appearance was no reflection of his intelligent mind I had

respect for him and he was the only one who would talk to

me in a free manner holding no fear in his facial expression

As my mother set down a cup of tea for him he began to

speak

ldquoElizabeth you are looking wellrdquo

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I was drained My

hair was up in a messy ponytail my glasses slipping off the

bridge of my nose It was 4pm and I was still in my pyjamas

Dr Keele was obviously trying to ease the tension in the

room with cheap insincere flattery

For a moment time stood still It was silent and I could feel

motherrsquos eyes on me like a hawk watching its prey Dr Keele

sighed as he took a sip of his tea and as he placed the cup

onto the table he started to rub his temples Leaning

forward he gave a warm smile bearing all of his pearly

whites He stared at me Some would say that the silence

was unbearable and awkward but I basked in it It was a

time that I had to just be and even though I knew I was the

subject of scrutiny it felt peaceful that no one was talking to

me or rather at me My mind drifted off into its own world

I imagined myself sitting in a park alone There were no

other children with me I watched the swings move back and

forth bouncing off the winds power The sky was grey and

the flowers had all wilted It was heaven As I looked around

the park it seemed simply beautiful that such tranquillity was

so easily achieved I examined every corner of the park and

could not help but feel excitement at how perfect it was As I

looked to the playground I noticed that a foul loathsome

creature interrupted the ambience I had created It was a

rabbit Blasted animals I slowly made my way over to the

four-legged freak I could not fathom how people deemed

this ghastly looking thing as cute and with that I swung my

leg back and kicked it in the neck Music came in the form of

its neck breaking as I had injured it Good I sat there

smiling to myself and the power I had held over this pathetic

defenceless creature

Suddenly I felt my mind slip out of this stream of

consciousness I had indulged in I realised that I was sitting

in my living room opposite Dr Keele and mother and a good

five minutes had gone and it was completely silent This was

an abnormality and instantly I knew something was wrong

At once I snapped back into the room and found mother and

Dr Keele whispering together I hated whispering it was

rude and unmannerly Dr Keele noticed that I wasnrsquot day

dreaming anymore

ldquoAh Elizabeth I am glad to see yoursquore backrdquo

I winced I could tell he was lying he was a doctor and this

was a job He was not ldquogladrdquo to see I was back he was

being superfluous

ldquoI expect you are wondering why it has been so quiet for so

longrdquo Dr Keele asked full of hope

ldquoNordquo I monotonously responded

ldquoElizabeth you are special and you have the ability to be

moulded into a wonderful woman You know that your

mother has been having a lot of trouble with you over the

past couple of years with your behavioural problems and I

havenrsquot seemed to knuckle down on a diagnosis for this

conduct you embodyrdquo

16

ldquoThere is nothing wrong with merdquo

ldquoOf courserdquo Dr Keele attempted to console me ldquoThere is

indeed nothing wrong with you but as your doctor I need to

do what is best for you and your motherrdquo I did not like

where this was going

ldquoSo after speaking to a few doctors at the surgery I think it

would be beneficial for you to go to a special place for a few

months to really tackle this issuerdquo

Dr Keele coined the term ldquospecialrdquo as if I was 10 years old

and naiumlve enough to fall for his gentle tone when in fact it

was annoyingly patronising

ldquoGreendale Psychiatric Institute is a lovely place not far

from here It will help pull the reigns in on this problem

There is a room waiting for you and a roommate called Lisa

too You will have a blast and better yet you will be

happierrdquo

ldquoYou will be normal Lizrdquo my mother uttered

I will be normal I will be normal I will be normal No matter

how many times I replayed that word in my head it did not

make sense to me I was normal and it was demeaning of

my mother to use this mundane word as criteria she needed

my personality to hit It was demoralising and slowly I felt

the pain and anger in me boil to temperatures unknown

This woman had carried me for nine months essentially

brought me up and she had the nerve to stop treating me

like her child but rather some abnormal science project

She prodded at my feelings dissected my emotional hold on

life and burnt my will to live She did not understand me no

one did No one could gauge how difficult this was and how

burdened I felt

I will not go to Greendale I will not I will not I will not I was

determined

Unfortunately my determination was not enough Three

days later I was taken there kicking and screaming As the

taxi made its way down the path I caught sight of my

motherrsquos somewhat uplifted demeanour I could not distract

myself from the sense of relief that I had bestowed upon her

face It was heart-breaking that my mother my own flesh

and blood was so elated to see me go

mdashmdashmdash

Age 18

Present day Greendale

Breakfast was over and I traipsed back to my room Lisa

had a knitting lesson and I was lucky to be alone for an

hour I sat down on my bed causing the steel frame to

creak with agony I closed my eyes and felt my tears run

down my cheek I looked at myself in the mirror What I had

come to I was a beaten down run over person I was lost

and confused and my life had pushed me to boundaries I

did not know existed I could not do this anymore As I

reflected on my life I realised how little those around me

knew I felt no guilt for motherrsquos pain Keelersquos frustration and

for all the animals I tortured I guess this was Godrsquos way of

toying with me giving me less freedom than an animal The

four walls closed in on me and my body shook with fear I

needed to stop I needed to be free

Ripping a piece of paper out of my notebook I racked my

mind for words With a shaky hand I wrote

Mother

There was is nothing wrong with me

Elizabeth

Clasping the paper in my hand I carefully lay it on my

pillow I was ready for a change I was ready for a different

life where I did not need to deal with judging eyes and

whispering behind my back Slowly I stood on my chair and

looped my jogging bottoms round the curtain rail I tied it

around my neck feeling the waistline dig into it Smite me

almighty smiter

With that I closed my eyes and told myself I was ready

Stepping off I felt my lungs struggle I felt my legs kick

frantically I was panicking as life ebbed slowly from my

body I could have stopped it but I didnrsquot

For I needed change

17

LET GOhellipA P O E M B Y S O W M Y A K R I S H N A N

The flowers whispered a silent word

The hum in your ears was so unheard

The clouds too listened and shed a tear

The pain of separation is an intimate fear

The time of ever having to let go

The very moment when you try not to show

The emptiness your heart a bottomless pit

That spark in your eye no more seems lit

But the most painful part yet to come

They left you their faces still blossomed with fun

Just as much as you seemed shattered

To them it looked like it hardly mattered

Embracing each other they walked away

You grappled for a reason to make them stay

But then you saw you were alone in this

They didnrsquot seem to find anything amiss

You desired to see those smiling faces once more

Faces you used to see everyday at your door

Yoursquod held them so close once upon a time

But now ask yourself ldquoWere they ever really minerdquo

Its time to turn away too just leave them be

Maybe you saw a bond that they couldnrsquot see

A bond they didnrsquot mind breaking so

Yes theyrsquore not yours just let go

-SK

by Aswathy Kumar

Sowmya is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has recently moved to Chester to join her husband Prashant Menon who she married in December 2014 She has always enjoyed writing poetry and wishes she had more time to devote to it

18

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

for

ARTrsquoS SAKEB Y A N I T A P U L I Y A N K A L A T H

Many of us from Kerala are exposed to the creative arts in

some form or the other But how many of us know about

mural wall painting ndash the transformation of an uninteresting

surface wall to an unforgettable artistic experience How

many of us have seen these wall paintings amp wondered at

their timeless beauty intricate design and rich vibrant

colours

For the uninitiated a traditional Kerala mural is a painting

mainly seen on the walls ceilings of temples and palaces

They depict mostly gods goddesses saints kings nature

and scenes from our epics and Indian mythology It is an

exquisite art form

Do we know how these are created In the traditional style

of mural painting only vegetable colours and natural

pigments are used These can all be sourced locally in

Kerala

The first step in mural art is the meticulous preparation of

the wall The wall is prepared with a rough plastering of lime

and sand mixed with the juice of kadukkai or chunnambvelli

dissolved with palm sugar A smooth plaster with ground

cotton is then applied After 10 days 25 to 30 coats of lime

and tender coconut water is applied till the thickness of the

coat is as thin as a tamarind leaf The mural is painted only

once the wall is completely dry

The five basic colours used in mural painting are yellow

ochre red sap green indigo blue and black The black

colour is made from soot taken from oil lamps A light yellow

colouring is used for sketching instead of pencil and the

piece is perfected with thin black lines The fine brushes

used are made from the delicate blades of arrow grass

lsquoEyyam Pullursquo found in the rural areas of Kerala

Only a skilled artist can work on them for hours and the

motifs are drawn from the lsquoDhyana Slokasrsquo verbal images of

the deities It is often believed that the artist has a divine

vision (lsquoDivya Dhirshtirsquo) which he transforms from his mindrsquos

eye to create a masterpiece using his deftly creative hands

Today one can see some of these exquisite murals in the

Shiva temple of Ettumanoor Guruvayoor temple near

Trichur Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Trivandrum

Churches at Cheppad Alappuzha the Ramayana Murals of

Mattancherry Palace and many more

However in present times in order to bring mural art closer

home many artists have used different materials like

plywood terracotta bamboo and canvass to paint murals

This enables ordinary people like us to appreciate its beauty

Commercial viability has made it possible for talented artists

to use acrylic colours on the Kerala saree shirts and

churidar tops to replicate some of the murals and today

many hotel lobbies and shopping malls are adorned with

beautiful artistic pieces of mural allowing the common man

to experience this sublime art form

So the next time you visit your hometown be sure to look out

for these gems of creation that will fill your soul with artistic

elation

Anita has a Masters Degree in Public Management University of Madras India and is married to Darshan a Marine Pilot They live in Kent and in her spare time she enjoys gardening music crosswords community development yoga and Aerobics

Mural by an artist Ms Geetha from Trivandrum

13

WRONG WITH ME

Age 18

ldquoWake up Greendale Itrsquos 6am Wake uprdquo

The shrill orders screeched at me from beyond my bedroom

door I remain still as if deaf to my wake up call Clutching

the thin salmon coloured covers I stretch my neck in an

attempt to relieve myself from the agonising pain of only

having one pillow to sleep on Slowly I force myself to open

my lazy eyes and stare intently at the grey walls All that is

left now is to listen to my roommate Lisa snore and mutter

to herself in her sleep Pushing myself up into a comfortable

seated position I allow my surroundings to embed

themselves on to my brain A cold room that is occupied by

two beds two sinks two desks and a few of Lisarsquos knitting

books I rest my back against the walls and close my eyes

It was easy to shut my eyes and get lost in the never-

ending pitted blackness that conquered my eyelids

Sometimes I never wanted to open them Itrsquos my escape A

world that I can actually call mine I wallow in what feels like

silky black sheets and envisage a world where I can run

freely with no inhibitions The black fades seamlessly into a

green field dotted with idyllic flowers My neurons create the

feeling of the soles of my feet grazing against the ground as

I pelt through the field feeling the pulse of wind on my

cheek Liberation I donrsquot ever want to open my eyes I want

to stay in this world where I can control every minute detail

to a tee I am physics Without mercy for my soulrsquos rest a

heavy hand clouts upon my unsuspecting shoulder and

opening my eyes I see Lisa her eyes fixated on me Her

blonde short curly hair dishevelled and her eyelashes

coated thick in sleep What appeared to be unkempt

appearance was merely insanity masking the true beauty

beneath

I watched Lisa rub her eyes and sluggishly put on her white

plimsolls Despite being undernourished her scrawny body

moved as if she had masses of weight to carry the burden

of her emotional angst bringing her down Lisa looked at me

as if to say lsquoget a move onrsquo Cracking a half-hearted smile I

stared at my own white plimsolls at the foot of my bed They

seemed so far away so unreachable With a struggle I

stretched across and reached out for them

ldquoGreendale patients It is 630am Breakfast is in 10

minutesrdquo

It was time to get ready for the day ahead My heart

plummeted into the pit of my stomach and a wave of nausea

threw its slurry northward I felt the weight of my head on my

shoulders and slowly but surely my eyes started to fill up

with salty tears This is my life

ldquoYou readyrdquo asked Lisa Nodding I followed her out of

Room 13

My name is Elizabeth Mary Margaret and I am a Greendale

Psychiatric Institute patient

mdashmdashmdash

Age 12

This is my story The story of how a normal girl ended up in

a psychiatric ward (normal being the operative word) It all

began when I was 12 a tender adolescent teenager facing

the usual trials and tribulations that came with the age I

always knew that I was different to the other girls Whilst

they worried about their bodies and boys I worried about the

darker things in life things that would make your skin crawl

Infatuated by the mind of a murderer the motives of a rapist

the depression of an alcoholic I would allow myself to

wander hopelessly in their shoes Some may call it intuition

a natural curiosity for the darker things unknown but from a

very young age I knew that mine was no innocent interest

but a cynical unforgiving obsession An obsessive need that

I possessed compounded with jealousy

On the 12th April 1994 my life started to take a downward

spiral into the pits of my own dark unimaginable thoughts It

was my 12th birthday and what started of with cake and

presents quickly turned ugly as I had an encounter with the

A S H O R T S T O R Y B Y N E E T U N A I R

there is nothing

Neetu is currently finishing her degree in English Language amp Communication from Oxford Brookes University She is a keen writer and hopes to work in Forensics where she can combine her love of investigating crimes with her passion for writing

14

neighbourrsquos cat As my mother entertained party guests I

slowly slipped to the back of my garden where I would often

retreat to watch a busy ant farm I had created I took care

and had meticulously planned how my ant farm was to look

After three weeks of hard work I had reached my goal

Tending to them everyday I worked up a sweat making sure

they were all okay and as today was my birthday I decided to

spend as much time with them as possible Squatting down

next to them I watched them work and as I slowly became

engrossed in studying their movements Misty the

neighbourrsquos tabby walked over them ruining all my hard

work I remember how I felt clearly a huge rush of heat

overcoming my body My cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tears I clenched my fists and watched Misty as she

graciously ruined my masterpiece without a care in the

world It was unforgivable and cruel and as my mother

coined it ldquobad behaviourrdquo

I glared at Misty at which point my feline foe was staring

right back at me She was relentless in my eyes and her

ldquobad behaviourrdquo meant she had to pay Glancing back at my

mum confirming her attention was not on me I quickly

swiped the cat and ran into my wendy house where I

slammed her to the ground and bludgeoned her with a rock

killing her for what she did to my ant farm

To my dismay my mother saw Mistyrsquos dead body laying

under my hat that evening as she was cleaning up after my

party From then on I was summoned to counselling

mdashmdashmdash

Age 13

A year later I was branching into dangerous territory and

felt no guilt for my actions I wanted to cease mankind be

the last woman standing I wanted to be alone in complete

isolation For the past year I had mutilated over twelve

animals and my counsellor had referred me to a doctor who

was assigned to ldquodiagnoserdquo me Nothing was wrong with me

mdashmdashmdash

Age 17

ldquoElizabeth would you come down hererdquo my mother called

up to my room

My mother Jeanette Jane Margaret was a woman of great

standards She believed in keeping up appearances and

was bitterly ashamed of me She would never take me out

for I was a disturbed child and on the rare occasion she did I

would always end up ldquomisbehavingrdquo Mother believed in old-

fashioned customs banning me to my room when I was

naughty was a regularity in this household She did not want

to ever believe that something was wrong with me she

called it a phase The last four years had been turmoil for I

had done things that nightmares were made of I had

bludgeoned animals pushed my sister down the stairs in

rage lit my motherrsquos favourite dress on fire and been

excluded from school

But nothing was wrong with me I was just different

Misunderstood ldquoYesrdquo I asked monotonously avoiding eye

contact

ldquoDr Keele called He is making a house callrdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo

ldquoOh for heavens sake Elizabethrdquo my mothers voice trembled

with frustration fused with sadness

Dr Keele made regular house calls each one intensifying my

confusion

ldquoWhyrdquo I pushed for an answer

ldquoElizabeth you are ruining this familyrdquo Her harsh words

violently pierced my heart I stared back at her into her soul

She was evil she did not understand me

ldquoRuining this family This picture perfect family Howrdquo I

said containing my anger

ldquoHow HOW You are really going to stand there and ask

me such stupid questions I have tried to be patient tried to

listen and guide you But you do wrong You wonrsquot learn

Hiding you in this house for the past five years was a

mistake You are not normal Elizabeth Itrsquos time for a

changerdquo

ldquoA change What sort of changerdquo

ldquoYou need help For as long as I can remember you have

ldquoMy cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tearshelliprdquo

15

been hurting those around you Family friendshellipanimalsrdquo

My motherrsquos words cut me like a knife a sharp pain took

over my body It was anger it was hot and ready to unleash

itrsquos fire breathing dragon to burn her for her insolence

Nothing was wrong with me

At that moment Dr Keele rang the doorbell He was a

dishevelled looking man whose outward unkempt

appearance was no reflection of his intelligent mind I had

respect for him and he was the only one who would talk to

me in a free manner holding no fear in his facial expression

As my mother set down a cup of tea for him he began to

speak

ldquoElizabeth you are looking wellrdquo

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I was drained My

hair was up in a messy ponytail my glasses slipping off the

bridge of my nose It was 4pm and I was still in my pyjamas

Dr Keele was obviously trying to ease the tension in the

room with cheap insincere flattery

For a moment time stood still It was silent and I could feel

motherrsquos eyes on me like a hawk watching its prey Dr Keele

sighed as he took a sip of his tea and as he placed the cup

onto the table he started to rub his temples Leaning

forward he gave a warm smile bearing all of his pearly

whites He stared at me Some would say that the silence

was unbearable and awkward but I basked in it It was a

time that I had to just be and even though I knew I was the

subject of scrutiny it felt peaceful that no one was talking to

me or rather at me My mind drifted off into its own world

I imagined myself sitting in a park alone There were no

other children with me I watched the swings move back and

forth bouncing off the winds power The sky was grey and

the flowers had all wilted It was heaven As I looked around

the park it seemed simply beautiful that such tranquillity was

so easily achieved I examined every corner of the park and

could not help but feel excitement at how perfect it was As I

looked to the playground I noticed that a foul loathsome

creature interrupted the ambience I had created It was a

rabbit Blasted animals I slowly made my way over to the

four-legged freak I could not fathom how people deemed

this ghastly looking thing as cute and with that I swung my

leg back and kicked it in the neck Music came in the form of

its neck breaking as I had injured it Good I sat there

smiling to myself and the power I had held over this pathetic

defenceless creature

Suddenly I felt my mind slip out of this stream of

consciousness I had indulged in I realised that I was sitting

in my living room opposite Dr Keele and mother and a good

five minutes had gone and it was completely silent This was

an abnormality and instantly I knew something was wrong

At once I snapped back into the room and found mother and

Dr Keele whispering together I hated whispering it was

rude and unmannerly Dr Keele noticed that I wasnrsquot day

dreaming anymore

ldquoAh Elizabeth I am glad to see yoursquore backrdquo

I winced I could tell he was lying he was a doctor and this

was a job He was not ldquogladrdquo to see I was back he was

being superfluous

ldquoI expect you are wondering why it has been so quiet for so

longrdquo Dr Keele asked full of hope

ldquoNordquo I monotonously responded

ldquoElizabeth you are special and you have the ability to be

moulded into a wonderful woman You know that your

mother has been having a lot of trouble with you over the

past couple of years with your behavioural problems and I

havenrsquot seemed to knuckle down on a diagnosis for this

conduct you embodyrdquo

16

ldquoThere is nothing wrong with merdquo

ldquoOf courserdquo Dr Keele attempted to console me ldquoThere is

indeed nothing wrong with you but as your doctor I need to

do what is best for you and your motherrdquo I did not like

where this was going

ldquoSo after speaking to a few doctors at the surgery I think it

would be beneficial for you to go to a special place for a few

months to really tackle this issuerdquo

Dr Keele coined the term ldquospecialrdquo as if I was 10 years old

and naiumlve enough to fall for his gentle tone when in fact it

was annoyingly patronising

ldquoGreendale Psychiatric Institute is a lovely place not far

from here It will help pull the reigns in on this problem

There is a room waiting for you and a roommate called Lisa

too You will have a blast and better yet you will be

happierrdquo

ldquoYou will be normal Lizrdquo my mother uttered

I will be normal I will be normal I will be normal No matter

how many times I replayed that word in my head it did not

make sense to me I was normal and it was demeaning of

my mother to use this mundane word as criteria she needed

my personality to hit It was demoralising and slowly I felt

the pain and anger in me boil to temperatures unknown

This woman had carried me for nine months essentially

brought me up and she had the nerve to stop treating me

like her child but rather some abnormal science project

She prodded at my feelings dissected my emotional hold on

life and burnt my will to live She did not understand me no

one did No one could gauge how difficult this was and how

burdened I felt

I will not go to Greendale I will not I will not I will not I was

determined

Unfortunately my determination was not enough Three

days later I was taken there kicking and screaming As the

taxi made its way down the path I caught sight of my

motherrsquos somewhat uplifted demeanour I could not distract

myself from the sense of relief that I had bestowed upon her

face It was heart-breaking that my mother my own flesh

and blood was so elated to see me go

mdashmdashmdash

Age 18

Present day Greendale

Breakfast was over and I traipsed back to my room Lisa

had a knitting lesson and I was lucky to be alone for an

hour I sat down on my bed causing the steel frame to

creak with agony I closed my eyes and felt my tears run

down my cheek I looked at myself in the mirror What I had

come to I was a beaten down run over person I was lost

and confused and my life had pushed me to boundaries I

did not know existed I could not do this anymore As I

reflected on my life I realised how little those around me

knew I felt no guilt for motherrsquos pain Keelersquos frustration and

for all the animals I tortured I guess this was Godrsquos way of

toying with me giving me less freedom than an animal The

four walls closed in on me and my body shook with fear I

needed to stop I needed to be free

Ripping a piece of paper out of my notebook I racked my

mind for words With a shaky hand I wrote

Mother

There was is nothing wrong with me

Elizabeth

Clasping the paper in my hand I carefully lay it on my

pillow I was ready for a change I was ready for a different

life where I did not need to deal with judging eyes and

whispering behind my back Slowly I stood on my chair and

looped my jogging bottoms round the curtain rail I tied it

around my neck feeling the waistline dig into it Smite me

almighty smiter

With that I closed my eyes and told myself I was ready

Stepping off I felt my lungs struggle I felt my legs kick

frantically I was panicking as life ebbed slowly from my

body I could have stopped it but I didnrsquot

For I needed change

17

LET GOhellipA P O E M B Y S O W M Y A K R I S H N A N

The flowers whispered a silent word

The hum in your ears was so unheard

The clouds too listened and shed a tear

The pain of separation is an intimate fear

The time of ever having to let go

The very moment when you try not to show

The emptiness your heart a bottomless pit

That spark in your eye no more seems lit

But the most painful part yet to come

They left you their faces still blossomed with fun

Just as much as you seemed shattered

To them it looked like it hardly mattered

Embracing each other they walked away

You grappled for a reason to make them stay

But then you saw you were alone in this

They didnrsquot seem to find anything amiss

You desired to see those smiling faces once more

Faces you used to see everyday at your door

Yoursquod held them so close once upon a time

But now ask yourself ldquoWere they ever really minerdquo

Its time to turn away too just leave them be

Maybe you saw a bond that they couldnrsquot see

A bond they didnrsquot mind breaking so

Yes theyrsquore not yours just let go

-SK

by Aswathy Kumar

Sowmya is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has recently moved to Chester to join her husband Prashant Menon who she married in December 2014 She has always enjoyed writing poetry and wishes she had more time to devote to it

18

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

WRONG WITH ME

Age 18

ldquoWake up Greendale Itrsquos 6am Wake uprdquo

The shrill orders screeched at me from beyond my bedroom

door I remain still as if deaf to my wake up call Clutching

the thin salmon coloured covers I stretch my neck in an

attempt to relieve myself from the agonising pain of only

having one pillow to sleep on Slowly I force myself to open

my lazy eyes and stare intently at the grey walls All that is

left now is to listen to my roommate Lisa snore and mutter

to herself in her sleep Pushing myself up into a comfortable

seated position I allow my surroundings to embed

themselves on to my brain A cold room that is occupied by

two beds two sinks two desks and a few of Lisarsquos knitting

books I rest my back against the walls and close my eyes

It was easy to shut my eyes and get lost in the never-

ending pitted blackness that conquered my eyelids

Sometimes I never wanted to open them Itrsquos my escape A

world that I can actually call mine I wallow in what feels like

silky black sheets and envisage a world where I can run

freely with no inhibitions The black fades seamlessly into a

green field dotted with idyllic flowers My neurons create the

feeling of the soles of my feet grazing against the ground as

I pelt through the field feeling the pulse of wind on my

cheek Liberation I donrsquot ever want to open my eyes I want

to stay in this world where I can control every minute detail

to a tee I am physics Without mercy for my soulrsquos rest a

heavy hand clouts upon my unsuspecting shoulder and

opening my eyes I see Lisa her eyes fixated on me Her

blonde short curly hair dishevelled and her eyelashes

coated thick in sleep What appeared to be unkempt

appearance was merely insanity masking the true beauty

beneath

I watched Lisa rub her eyes and sluggishly put on her white

plimsolls Despite being undernourished her scrawny body

moved as if she had masses of weight to carry the burden

of her emotional angst bringing her down Lisa looked at me

as if to say lsquoget a move onrsquo Cracking a half-hearted smile I

stared at my own white plimsolls at the foot of my bed They

seemed so far away so unreachable With a struggle I

stretched across and reached out for them

ldquoGreendale patients It is 630am Breakfast is in 10

minutesrdquo

It was time to get ready for the day ahead My heart

plummeted into the pit of my stomach and a wave of nausea

threw its slurry northward I felt the weight of my head on my

shoulders and slowly but surely my eyes started to fill up

with salty tears This is my life

ldquoYou readyrdquo asked Lisa Nodding I followed her out of

Room 13

My name is Elizabeth Mary Margaret and I am a Greendale

Psychiatric Institute patient

mdashmdashmdash

Age 12

This is my story The story of how a normal girl ended up in

a psychiatric ward (normal being the operative word) It all

began when I was 12 a tender adolescent teenager facing

the usual trials and tribulations that came with the age I

always knew that I was different to the other girls Whilst

they worried about their bodies and boys I worried about the

darker things in life things that would make your skin crawl

Infatuated by the mind of a murderer the motives of a rapist

the depression of an alcoholic I would allow myself to

wander hopelessly in their shoes Some may call it intuition

a natural curiosity for the darker things unknown but from a

very young age I knew that mine was no innocent interest

but a cynical unforgiving obsession An obsessive need that

I possessed compounded with jealousy

On the 12th April 1994 my life started to take a downward

spiral into the pits of my own dark unimaginable thoughts It

was my 12th birthday and what started of with cake and

presents quickly turned ugly as I had an encounter with the

A S H O R T S T O R Y B Y N E E T U N A I R

there is nothing

Neetu is currently finishing her degree in English Language amp Communication from Oxford Brookes University She is a keen writer and hopes to work in Forensics where she can combine her love of investigating crimes with her passion for writing

14

neighbourrsquos cat As my mother entertained party guests I

slowly slipped to the back of my garden where I would often

retreat to watch a busy ant farm I had created I took care

and had meticulously planned how my ant farm was to look

After three weeks of hard work I had reached my goal

Tending to them everyday I worked up a sweat making sure

they were all okay and as today was my birthday I decided to

spend as much time with them as possible Squatting down

next to them I watched them work and as I slowly became

engrossed in studying their movements Misty the

neighbourrsquos tabby walked over them ruining all my hard

work I remember how I felt clearly a huge rush of heat

overcoming my body My cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tears I clenched my fists and watched Misty as she

graciously ruined my masterpiece without a care in the

world It was unforgivable and cruel and as my mother

coined it ldquobad behaviourrdquo

I glared at Misty at which point my feline foe was staring

right back at me She was relentless in my eyes and her

ldquobad behaviourrdquo meant she had to pay Glancing back at my

mum confirming her attention was not on me I quickly

swiped the cat and ran into my wendy house where I

slammed her to the ground and bludgeoned her with a rock

killing her for what she did to my ant farm

To my dismay my mother saw Mistyrsquos dead body laying

under my hat that evening as she was cleaning up after my

party From then on I was summoned to counselling

mdashmdashmdash

Age 13

A year later I was branching into dangerous territory and

felt no guilt for my actions I wanted to cease mankind be

the last woman standing I wanted to be alone in complete

isolation For the past year I had mutilated over twelve

animals and my counsellor had referred me to a doctor who

was assigned to ldquodiagnoserdquo me Nothing was wrong with me

mdashmdashmdash

Age 17

ldquoElizabeth would you come down hererdquo my mother called

up to my room

My mother Jeanette Jane Margaret was a woman of great

standards She believed in keeping up appearances and

was bitterly ashamed of me She would never take me out

for I was a disturbed child and on the rare occasion she did I

would always end up ldquomisbehavingrdquo Mother believed in old-

fashioned customs banning me to my room when I was

naughty was a regularity in this household She did not want

to ever believe that something was wrong with me she

called it a phase The last four years had been turmoil for I

had done things that nightmares were made of I had

bludgeoned animals pushed my sister down the stairs in

rage lit my motherrsquos favourite dress on fire and been

excluded from school

But nothing was wrong with me I was just different

Misunderstood ldquoYesrdquo I asked monotonously avoiding eye

contact

ldquoDr Keele called He is making a house callrdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo

ldquoOh for heavens sake Elizabethrdquo my mothers voice trembled

with frustration fused with sadness

Dr Keele made regular house calls each one intensifying my

confusion

ldquoWhyrdquo I pushed for an answer

ldquoElizabeth you are ruining this familyrdquo Her harsh words

violently pierced my heart I stared back at her into her soul

She was evil she did not understand me

ldquoRuining this family This picture perfect family Howrdquo I

said containing my anger

ldquoHow HOW You are really going to stand there and ask

me such stupid questions I have tried to be patient tried to

listen and guide you But you do wrong You wonrsquot learn

Hiding you in this house for the past five years was a

mistake You are not normal Elizabeth Itrsquos time for a

changerdquo

ldquoA change What sort of changerdquo

ldquoYou need help For as long as I can remember you have

ldquoMy cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tearshelliprdquo

15

been hurting those around you Family friendshellipanimalsrdquo

My motherrsquos words cut me like a knife a sharp pain took

over my body It was anger it was hot and ready to unleash

itrsquos fire breathing dragon to burn her for her insolence

Nothing was wrong with me

At that moment Dr Keele rang the doorbell He was a

dishevelled looking man whose outward unkempt

appearance was no reflection of his intelligent mind I had

respect for him and he was the only one who would talk to

me in a free manner holding no fear in his facial expression

As my mother set down a cup of tea for him he began to

speak

ldquoElizabeth you are looking wellrdquo

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I was drained My

hair was up in a messy ponytail my glasses slipping off the

bridge of my nose It was 4pm and I was still in my pyjamas

Dr Keele was obviously trying to ease the tension in the

room with cheap insincere flattery

For a moment time stood still It was silent and I could feel

motherrsquos eyes on me like a hawk watching its prey Dr Keele

sighed as he took a sip of his tea and as he placed the cup

onto the table he started to rub his temples Leaning

forward he gave a warm smile bearing all of his pearly

whites He stared at me Some would say that the silence

was unbearable and awkward but I basked in it It was a

time that I had to just be and even though I knew I was the

subject of scrutiny it felt peaceful that no one was talking to

me or rather at me My mind drifted off into its own world

I imagined myself sitting in a park alone There were no

other children with me I watched the swings move back and

forth bouncing off the winds power The sky was grey and

the flowers had all wilted It was heaven As I looked around

the park it seemed simply beautiful that such tranquillity was

so easily achieved I examined every corner of the park and

could not help but feel excitement at how perfect it was As I

looked to the playground I noticed that a foul loathsome

creature interrupted the ambience I had created It was a

rabbit Blasted animals I slowly made my way over to the

four-legged freak I could not fathom how people deemed

this ghastly looking thing as cute and with that I swung my

leg back and kicked it in the neck Music came in the form of

its neck breaking as I had injured it Good I sat there

smiling to myself and the power I had held over this pathetic

defenceless creature

Suddenly I felt my mind slip out of this stream of

consciousness I had indulged in I realised that I was sitting

in my living room opposite Dr Keele and mother and a good

five minutes had gone and it was completely silent This was

an abnormality and instantly I knew something was wrong

At once I snapped back into the room and found mother and

Dr Keele whispering together I hated whispering it was

rude and unmannerly Dr Keele noticed that I wasnrsquot day

dreaming anymore

ldquoAh Elizabeth I am glad to see yoursquore backrdquo

I winced I could tell he was lying he was a doctor and this

was a job He was not ldquogladrdquo to see I was back he was

being superfluous

ldquoI expect you are wondering why it has been so quiet for so

longrdquo Dr Keele asked full of hope

ldquoNordquo I monotonously responded

ldquoElizabeth you are special and you have the ability to be

moulded into a wonderful woman You know that your

mother has been having a lot of trouble with you over the

past couple of years with your behavioural problems and I

havenrsquot seemed to knuckle down on a diagnosis for this

conduct you embodyrdquo

16

ldquoThere is nothing wrong with merdquo

ldquoOf courserdquo Dr Keele attempted to console me ldquoThere is

indeed nothing wrong with you but as your doctor I need to

do what is best for you and your motherrdquo I did not like

where this was going

ldquoSo after speaking to a few doctors at the surgery I think it

would be beneficial for you to go to a special place for a few

months to really tackle this issuerdquo

Dr Keele coined the term ldquospecialrdquo as if I was 10 years old

and naiumlve enough to fall for his gentle tone when in fact it

was annoyingly patronising

ldquoGreendale Psychiatric Institute is a lovely place not far

from here It will help pull the reigns in on this problem

There is a room waiting for you and a roommate called Lisa

too You will have a blast and better yet you will be

happierrdquo

ldquoYou will be normal Lizrdquo my mother uttered

I will be normal I will be normal I will be normal No matter

how many times I replayed that word in my head it did not

make sense to me I was normal and it was demeaning of

my mother to use this mundane word as criteria she needed

my personality to hit It was demoralising and slowly I felt

the pain and anger in me boil to temperatures unknown

This woman had carried me for nine months essentially

brought me up and she had the nerve to stop treating me

like her child but rather some abnormal science project

She prodded at my feelings dissected my emotional hold on

life and burnt my will to live She did not understand me no

one did No one could gauge how difficult this was and how

burdened I felt

I will not go to Greendale I will not I will not I will not I was

determined

Unfortunately my determination was not enough Three

days later I was taken there kicking and screaming As the

taxi made its way down the path I caught sight of my

motherrsquos somewhat uplifted demeanour I could not distract

myself from the sense of relief that I had bestowed upon her

face It was heart-breaking that my mother my own flesh

and blood was so elated to see me go

mdashmdashmdash

Age 18

Present day Greendale

Breakfast was over and I traipsed back to my room Lisa

had a knitting lesson and I was lucky to be alone for an

hour I sat down on my bed causing the steel frame to

creak with agony I closed my eyes and felt my tears run

down my cheek I looked at myself in the mirror What I had

come to I was a beaten down run over person I was lost

and confused and my life had pushed me to boundaries I

did not know existed I could not do this anymore As I

reflected on my life I realised how little those around me

knew I felt no guilt for motherrsquos pain Keelersquos frustration and

for all the animals I tortured I guess this was Godrsquos way of

toying with me giving me less freedom than an animal The

four walls closed in on me and my body shook with fear I

needed to stop I needed to be free

Ripping a piece of paper out of my notebook I racked my

mind for words With a shaky hand I wrote

Mother

There was is nothing wrong with me

Elizabeth

Clasping the paper in my hand I carefully lay it on my

pillow I was ready for a change I was ready for a different

life where I did not need to deal with judging eyes and

whispering behind my back Slowly I stood on my chair and

looped my jogging bottoms round the curtain rail I tied it

around my neck feeling the waistline dig into it Smite me

almighty smiter

With that I closed my eyes and told myself I was ready

Stepping off I felt my lungs struggle I felt my legs kick

frantically I was panicking as life ebbed slowly from my

body I could have stopped it but I didnrsquot

For I needed change

17

LET GOhellipA P O E M B Y S O W M Y A K R I S H N A N

The flowers whispered a silent word

The hum in your ears was so unheard

The clouds too listened and shed a tear

The pain of separation is an intimate fear

The time of ever having to let go

The very moment when you try not to show

The emptiness your heart a bottomless pit

That spark in your eye no more seems lit

But the most painful part yet to come

They left you their faces still blossomed with fun

Just as much as you seemed shattered

To them it looked like it hardly mattered

Embracing each other they walked away

You grappled for a reason to make them stay

But then you saw you were alone in this

They didnrsquot seem to find anything amiss

You desired to see those smiling faces once more

Faces you used to see everyday at your door

Yoursquod held them so close once upon a time

But now ask yourself ldquoWere they ever really minerdquo

Its time to turn away too just leave them be

Maybe you saw a bond that they couldnrsquot see

A bond they didnrsquot mind breaking so

Yes theyrsquore not yours just let go

-SK

by Aswathy Kumar

Sowmya is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has recently moved to Chester to join her husband Prashant Menon who she married in December 2014 She has always enjoyed writing poetry and wishes she had more time to devote to it

18

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

neighbourrsquos cat As my mother entertained party guests I

slowly slipped to the back of my garden where I would often

retreat to watch a busy ant farm I had created I took care

and had meticulously planned how my ant farm was to look

After three weeks of hard work I had reached my goal

Tending to them everyday I worked up a sweat making sure

they were all okay and as today was my birthday I decided to

spend as much time with them as possible Squatting down

next to them I watched them work and as I slowly became

engrossed in studying their movements Misty the

neighbourrsquos tabby walked over them ruining all my hard

work I remember how I felt clearly a huge rush of heat

overcoming my body My cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tears I clenched my fists and watched Misty as she

graciously ruined my masterpiece without a care in the

world It was unforgivable and cruel and as my mother

coined it ldquobad behaviourrdquo

I glared at Misty at which point my feline foe was staring

right back at me She was relentless in my eyes and her

ldquobad behaviourrdquo meant she had to pay Glancing back at my

mum confirming her attention was not on me I quickly

swiped the cat and ran into my wendy house where I

slammed her to the ground and bludgeoned her with a rock

killing her for what she did to my ant farm

To my dismay my mother saw Mistyrsquos dead body laying

under my hat that evening as she was cleaning up after my

party From then on I was summoned to counselling

mdashmdashmdash

Age 13

A year later I was branching into dangerous territory and

felt no guilt for my actions I wanted to cease mankind be

the last woman standing I wanted to be alone in complete

isolation For the past year I had mutilated over twelve

animals and my counsellor had referred me to a doctor who

was assigned to ldquodiagnoserdquo me Nothing was wrong with me

mdashmdashmdash

Age 17

ldquoElizabeth would you come down hererdquo my mother called

up to my room

My mother Jeanette Jane Margaret was a woman of great

standards She believed in keeping up appearances and

was bitterly ashamed of me She would never take me out

for I was a disturbed child and on the rare occasion she did I

would always end up ldquomisbehavingrdquo Mother believed in old-

fashioned customs banning me to my room when I was

naughty was a regularity in this household She did not want

to ever believe that something was wrong with me she

called it a phase The last four years had been turmoil for I

had done things that nightmares were made of I had

bludgeoned animals pushed my sister down the stairs in

rage lit my motherrsquos favourite dress on fire and been

excluded from school

But nothing was wrong with me I was just different

Misunderstood ldquoYesrdquo I asked monotonously avoiding eye

contact

ldquoDr Keele called He is making a house callrdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo

ldquoOh for heavens sake Elizabethrdquo my mothers voice trembled

with frustration fused with sadness

Dr Keele made regular house calls each one intensifying my

confusion

ldquoWhyrdquo I pushed for an answer

ldquoElizabeth you are ruining this familyrdquo Her harsh words

violently pierced my heart I stared back at her into her soul

She was evil she did not understand me

ldquoRuining this family This picture perfect family Howrdquo I

said containing my anger

ldquoHow HOW You are really going to stand there and ask

me such stupid questions I have tried to be patient tried to

listen and guide you But you do wrong You wonrsquot learn

Hiding you in this house for the past five years was a

mistake You are not normal Elizabeth Itrsquos time for a

changerdquo

ldquoA change What sort of changerdquo

ldquoYou need help For as long as I can remember you have

ldquoMy cheeks red and my eyes filled with

tearshelliprdquo

15

been hurting those around you Family friendshellipanimalsrdquo

My motherrsquos words cut me like a knife a sharp pain took

over my body It was anger it was hot and ready to unleash

itrsquos fire breathing dragon to burn her for her insolence

Nothing was wrong with me

At that moment Dr Keele rang the doorbell He was a

dishevelled looking man whose outward unkempt

appearance was no reflection of his intelligent mind I had

respect for him and he was the only one who would talk to

me in a free manner holding no fear in his facial expression

As my mother set down a cup of tea for him he began to

speak

ldquoElizabeth you are looking wellrdquo

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I was drained My

hair was up in a messy ponytail my glasses slipping off the

bridge of my nose It was 4pm and I was still in my pyjamas

Dr Keele was obviously trying to ease the tension in the

room with cheap insincere flattery

For a moment time stood still It was silent and I could feel

motherrsquos eyes on me like a hawk watching its prey Dr Keele

sighed as he took a sip of his tea and as he placed the cup

onto the table he started to rub his temples Leaning

forward he gave a warm smile bearing all of his pearly

whites He stared at me Some would say that the silence

was unbearable and awkward but I basked in it It was a

time that I had to just be and even though I knew I was the

subject of scrutiny it felt peaceful that no one was talking to

me or rather at me My mind drifted off into its own world

I imagined myself sitting in a park alone There were no

other children with me I watched the swings move back and

forth bouncing off the winds power The sky was grey and

the flowers had all wilted It was heaven As I looked around

the park it seemed simply beautiful that such tranquillity was

so easily achieved I examined every corner of the park and

could not help but feel excitement at how perfect it was As I

looked to the playground I noticed that a foul loathsome

creature interrupted the ambience I had created It was a

rabbit Blasted animals I slowly made my way over to the

four-legged freak I could not fathom how people deemed

this ghastly looking thing as cute and with that I swung my

leg back and kicked it in the neck Music came in the form of

its neck breaking as I had injured it Good I sat there

smiling to myself and the power I had held over this pathetic

defenceless creature

Suddenly I felt my mind slip out of this stream of

consciousness I had indulged in I realised that I was sitting

in my living room opposite Dr Keele and mother and a good

five minutes had gone and it was completely silent This was

an abnormality and instantly I knew something was wrong

At once I snapped back into the room and found mother and

Dr Keele whispering together I hated whispering it was

rude and unmannerly Dr Keele noticed that I wasnrsquot day

dreaming anymore

ldquoAh Elizabeth I am glad to see yoursquore backrdquo

I winced I could tell he was lying he was a doctor and this

was a job He was not ldquogladrdquo to see I was back he was

being superfluous

ldquoI expect you are wondering why it has been so quiet for so

longrdquo Dr Keele asked full of hope

ldquoNordquo I monotonously responded

ldquoElizabeth you are special and you have the ability to be

moulded into a wonderful woman You know that your

mother has been having a lot of trouble with you over the

past couple of years with your behavioural problems and I

havenrsquot seemed to knuckle down on a diagnosis for this

conduct you embodyrdquo

16

ldquoThere is nothing wrong with merdquo

ldquoOf courserdquo Dr Keele attempted to console me ldquoThere is

indeed nothing wrong with you but as your doctor I need to

do what is best for you and your motherrdquo I did not like

where this was going

ldquoSo after speaking to a few doctors at the surgery I think it

would be beneficial for you to go to a special place for a few

months to really tackle this issuerdquo

Dr Keele coined the term ldquospecialrdquo as if I was 10 years old

and naiumlve enough to fall for his gentle tone when in fact it

was annoyingly patronising

ldquoGreendale Psychiatric Institute is a lovely place not far

from here It will help pull the reigns in on this problem

There is a room waiting for you and a roommate called Lisa

too You will have a blast and better yet you will be

happierrdquo

ldquoYou will be normal Lizrdquo my mother uttered

I will be normal I will be normal I will be normal No matter

how many times I replayed that word in my head it did not

make sense to me I was normal and it was demeaning of

my mother to use this mundane word as criteria she needed

my personality to hit It was demoralising and slowly I felt

the pain and anger in me boil to temperatures unknown

This woman had carried me for nine months essentially

brought me up and she had the nerve to stop treating me

like her child but rather some abnormal science project

She prodded at my feelings dissected my emotional hold on

life and burnt my will to live She did not understand me no

one did No one could gauge how difficult this was and how

burdened I felt

I will not go to Greendale I will not I will not I will not I was

determined

Unfortunately my determination was not enough Three

days later I was taken there kicking and screaming As the

taxi made its way down the path I caught sight of my

motherrsquos somewhat uplifted demeanour I could not distract

myself from the sense of relief that I had bestowed upon her

face It was heart-breaking that my mother my own flesh

and blood was so elated to see me go

mdashmdashmdash

Age 18

Present day Greendale

Breakfast was over and I traipsed back to my room Lisa

had a knitting lesson and I was lucky to be alone for an

hour I sat down on my bed causing the steel frame to

creak with agony I closed my eyes and felt my tears run

down my cheek I looked at myself in the mirror What I had

come to I was a beaten down run over person I was lost

and confused and my life had pushed me to boundaries I

did not know existed I could not do this anymore As I

reflected on my life I realised how little those around me

knew I felt no guilt for motherrsquos pain Keelersquos frustration and

for all the animals I tortured I guess this was Godrsquos way of

toying with me giving me less freedom than an animal The

four walls closed in on me and my body shook with fear I

needed to stop I needed to be free

Ripping a piece of paper out of my notebook I racked my

mind for words With a shaky hand I wrote

Mother

There was is nothing wrong with me

Elizabeth

Clasping the paper in my hand I carefully lay it on my

pillow I was ready for a change I was ready for a different

life where I did not need to deal with judging eyes and

whispering behind my back Slowly I stood on my chair and

looped my jogging bottoms round the curtain rail I tied it

around my neck feeling the waistline dig into it Smite me

almighty smiter

With that I closed my eyes and told myself I was ready

Stepping off I felt my lungs struggle I felt my legs kick

frantically I was panicking as life ebbed slowly from my

body I could have stopped it but I didnrsquot

For I needed change

17

LET GOhellipA P O E M B Y S O W M Y A K R I S H N A N

The flowers whispered a silent word

The hum in your ears was so unheard

The clouds too listened and shed a tear

The pain of separation is an intimate fear

The time of ever having to let go

The very moment when you try not to show

The emptiness your heart a bottomless pit

That spark in your eye no more seems lit

But the most painful part yet to come

They left you their faces still blossomed with fun

Just as much as you seemed shattered

To them it looked like it hardly mattered

Embracing each other they walked away

You grappled for a reason to make them stay

But then you saw you were alone in this

They didnrsquot seem to find anything amiss

You desired to see those smiling faces once more

Faces you used to see everyday at your door

Yoursquod held them so close once upon a time

But now ask yourself ldquoWere they ever really minerdquo

Its time to turn away too just leave them be

Maybe you saw a bond that they couldnrsquot see

A bond they didnrsquot mind breaking so

Yes theyrsquore not yours just let go

-SK

by Aswathy Kumar

Sowmya is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has recently moved to Chester to join her husband Prashant Menon who she married in December 2014 She has always enjoyed writing poetry and wishes she had more time to devote to it

18

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

been hurting those around you Family friendshellipanimalsrdquo

My motherrsquos words cut me like a knife a sharp pain took

over my body It was anger it was hot and ready to unleash

itrsquos fire breathing dragon to burn her for her insolence

Nothing was wrong with me

At that moment Dr Keele rang the doorbell He was a

dishevelled looking man whose outward unkempt

appearance was no reflection of his intelligent mind I had

respect for him and he was the only one who would talk to

me in a free manner holding no fear in his facial expression

As my mother set down a cup of tea for him he began to

speak

ldquoElizabeth you are looking wellrdquo

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I was drained My

hair was up in a messy ponytail my glasses slipping off the

bridge of my nose It was 4pm and I was still in my pyjamas

Dr Keele was obviously trying to ease the tension in the

room with cheap insincere flattery

For a moment time stood still It was silent and I could feel

motherrsquos eyes on me like a hawk watching its prey Dr Keele

sighed as he took a sip of his tea and as he placed the cup

onto the table he started to rub his temples Leaning

forward he gave a warm smile bearing all of his pearly

whites He stared at me Some would say that the silence

was unbearable and awkward but I basked in it It was a

time that I had to just be and even though I knew I was the

subject of scrutiny it felt peaceful that no one was talking to

me or rather at me My mind drifted off into its own world

I imagined myself sitting in a park alone There were no

other children with me I watched the swings move back and

forth bouncing off the winds power The sky was grey and

the flowers had all wilted It was heaven As I looked around

the park it seemed simply beautiful that such tranquillity was

so easily achieved I examined every corner of the park and

could not help but feel excitement at how perfect it was As I

looked to the playground I noticed that a foul loathsome

creature interrupted the ambience I had created It was a

rabbit Blasted animals I slowly made my way over to the

four-legged freak I could not fathom how people deemed

this ghastly looking thing as cute and with that I swung my

leg back and kicked it in the neck Music came in the form of

its neck breaking as I had injured it Good I sat there

smiling to myself and the power I had held over this pathetic

defenceless creature

Suddenly I felt my mind slip out of this stream of

consciousness I had indulged in I realised that I was sitting

in my living room opposite Dr Keele and mother and a good

five minutes had gone and it was completely silent This was

an abnormality and instantly I knew something was wrong

At once I snapped back into the room and found mother and

Dr Keele whispering together I hated whispering it was

rude and unmannerly Dr Keele noticed that I wasnrsquot day

dreaming anymore

ldquoAh Elizabeth I am glad to see yoursquore backrdquo

I winced I could tell he was lying he was a doctor and this

was a job He was not ldquogladrdquo to see I was back he was

being superfluous

ldquoI expect you are wondering why it has been so quiet for so

longrdquo Dr Keele asked full of hope

ldquoNordquo I monotonously responded

ldquoElizabeth you are special and you have the ability to be

moulded into a wonderful woman You know that your

mother has been having a lot of trouble with you over the

past couple of years with your behavioural problems and I

havenrsquot seemed to knuckle down on a diagnosis for this

conduct you embodyrdquo

16

ldquoThere is nothing wrong with merdquo

ldquoOf courserdquo Dr Keele attempted to console me ldquoThere is

indeed nothing wrong with you but as your doctor I need to

do what is best for you and your motherrdquo I did not like

where this was going

ldquoSo after speaking to a few doctors at the surgery I think it

would be beneficial for you to go to a special place for a few

months to really tackle this issuerdquo

Dr Keele coined the term ldquospecialrdquo as if I was 10 years old

and naiumlve enough to fall for his gentle tone when in fact it

was annoyingly patronising

ldquoGreendale Psychiatric Institute is a lovely place not far

from here It will help pull the reigns in on this problem

There is a room waiting for you and a roommate called Lisa

too You will have a blast and better yet you will be

happierrdquo

ldquoYou will be normal Lizrdquo my mother uttered

I will be normal I will be normal I will be normal No matter

how many times I replayed that word in my head it did not

make sense to me I was normal and it was demeaning of

my mother to use this mundane word as criteria she needed

my personality to hit It was demoralising and slowly I felt

the pain and anger in me boil to temperatures unknown

This woman had carried me for nine months essentially

brought me up and she had the nerve to stop treating me

like her child but rather some abnormal science project

She prodded at my feelings dissected my emotional hold on

life and burnt my will to live She did not understand me no

one did No one could gauge how difficult this was and how

burdened I felt

I will not go to Greendale I will not I will not I will not I was

determined

Unfortunately my determination was not enough Three

days later I was taken there kicking and screaming As the

taxi made its way down the path I caught sight of my

motherrsquos somewhat uplifted demeanour I could not distract

myself from the sense of relief that I had bestowed upon her

face It was heart-breaking that my mother my own flesh

and blood was so elated to see me go

mdashmdashmdash

Age 18

Present day Greendale

Breakfast was over and I traipsed back to my room Lisa

had a knitting lesson and I was lucky to be alone for an

hour I sat down on my bed causing the steel frame to

creak with agony I closed my eyes and felt my tears run

down my cheek I looked at myself in the mirror What I had

come to I was a beaten down run over person I was lost

and confused and my life had pushed me to boundaries I

did not know existed I could not do this anymore As I

reflected on my life I realised how little those around me

knew I felt no guilt for motherrsquos pain Keelersquos frustration and

for all the animals I tortured I guess this was Godrsquos way of

toying with me giving me less freedom than an animal The

four walls closed in on me and my body shook with fear I

needed to stop I needed to be free

Ripping a piece of paper out of my notebook I racked my

mind for words With a shaky hand I wrote

Mother

There was is nothing wrong with me

Elizabeth

Clasping the paper in my hand I carefully lay it on my

pillow I was ready for a change I was ready for a different

life where I did not need to deal with judging eyes and

whispering behind my back Slowly I stood on my chair and

looped my jogging bottoms round the curtain rail I tied it

around my neck feeling the waistline dig into it Smite me

almighty smiter

With that I closed my eyes and told myself I was ready

Stepping off I felt my lungs struggle I felt my legs kick

frantically I was panicking as life ebbed slowly from my

body I could have stopped it but I didnrsquot

For I needed change

17

LET GOhellipA P O E M B Y S O W M Y A K R I S H N A N

The flowers whispered a silent word

The hum in your ears was so unheard

The clouds too listened and shed a tear

The pain of separation is an intimate fear

The time of ever having to let go

The very moment when you try not to show

The emptiness your heart a bottomless pit

That spark in your eye no more seems lit

But the most painful part yet to come

They left you their faces still blossomed with fun

Just as much as you seemed shattered

To them it looked like it hardly mattered

Embracing each other they walked away

You grappled for a reason to make them stay

But then you saw you were alone in this

They didnrsquot seem to find anything amiss

You desired to see those smiling faces once more

Faces you used to see everyday at your door

Yoursquod held them so close once upon a time

But now ask yourself ldquoWere they ever really minerdquo

Its time to turn away too just leave them be

Maybe you saw a bond that they couldnrsquot see

A bond they didnrsquot mind breaking so

Yes theyrsquore not yours just let go

-SK

by Aswathy Kumar

Sowmya is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has recently moved to Chester to join her husband Prashant Menon who she married in December 2014 She has always enjoyed writing poetry and wishes she had more time to devote to it

18

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

ldquoThere is nothing wrong with merdquo

ldquoOf courserdquo Dr Keele attempted to console me ldquoThere is

indeed nothing wrong with you but as your doctor I need to

do what is best for you and your motherrdquo I did not like

where this was going

ldquoSo after speaking to a few doctors at the surgery I think it

would be beneficial for you to go to a special place for a few

months to really tackle this issuerdquo

Dr Keele coined the term ldquospecialrdquo as if I was 10 years old

and naiumlve enough to fall for his gentle tone when in fact it

was annoyingly patronising

ldquoGreendale Psychiatric Institute is a lovely place not far

from here It will help pull the reigns in on this problem

There is a room waiting for you and a roommate called Lisa

too You will have a blast and better yet you will be

happierrdquo

ldquoYou will be normal Lizrdquo my mother uttered

I will be normal I will be normal I will be normal No matter

how many times I replayed that word in my head it did not

make sense to me I was normal and it was demeaning of

my mother to use this mundane word as criteria she needed

my personality to hit It was demoralising and slowly I felt

the pain and anger in me boil to temperatures unknown

This woman had carried me for nine months essentially

brought me up and she had the nerve to stop treating me

like her child but rather some abnormal science project

She prodded at my feelings dissected my emotional hold on

life and burnt my will to live She did not understand me no

one did No one could gauge how difficult this was and how

burdened I felt

I will not go to Greendale I will not I will not I will not I was

determined

Unfortunately my determination was not enough Three

days later I was taken there kicking and screaming As the

taxi made its way down the path I caught sight of my

motherrsquos somewhat uplifted demeanour I could not distract

myself from the sense of relief that I had bestowed upon her

face It was heart-breaking that my mother my own flesh

and blood was so elated to see me go

mdashmdashmdash

Age 18

Present day Greendale

Breakfast was over and I traipsed back to my room Lisa

had a knitting lesson and I was lucky to be alone for an

hour I sat down on my bed causing the steel frame to

creak with agony I closed my eyes and felt my tears run

down my cheek I looked at myself in the mirror What I had

come to I was a beaten down run over person I was lost

and confused and my life had pushed me to boundaries I

did not know existed I could not do this anymore As I

reflected on my life I realised how little those around me

knew I felt no guilt for motherrsquos pain Keelersquos frustration and

for all the animals I tortured I guess this was Godrsquos way of

toying with me giving me less freedom than an animal The

four walls closed in on me and my body shook with fear I

needed to stop I needed to be free

Ripping a piece of paper out of my notebook I racked my

mind for words With a shaky hand I wrote

Mother

There was is nothing wrong with me

Elizabeth

Clasping the paper in my hand I carefully lay it on my

pillow I was ready for a change I was ready for a different

life where I did not need to deal with judging eyes and

whispering behind my back Slowly I stood on my chair and

looped my jogging bottoms round the curtain rail I tied it

around my neck feeling the waistline dig into it Smite me

almighty smiter

With that I closed my eyes and told myself I was ready

Stepping off I felt my lungs struggle I felt my legs kick

frantically I was panicking as life ebbed slowly from my

body I could have stopped it but I didnrsquot

For I needed change

17

LET GOhellipA P O E M B Y S O W M Y A K R I S H N A N

The flowers whispered a silent word

The hum in your ears was so unheard

The clouds too listened and shed a tear

The pain of separation is an intimate fear

The time of ever having to let go

The very moment when you try not to show

The emptiness your heart a bottomless pit

That spark in your eye no more seems lit

But the most painful part yet to come

They left you their faces still blossomed with fun

Just as much as you seemed shattered

To them it looked like it hardly mattered

Embracing each other they walked away

You grappled for a reason to make them stay

But then you saw you were alone in this

They didnrsquot seem to find anything amiss

You desired to see those smiling faces once more

Faces you used to see everyday at your door

Yoursquod held them so close once upon a time

But now ask yourself ldquoWere they ever really minerdquo

Its time to turn away too just leave them be

Maybe you saw a bond that they couldnrsquot see

A bond they didnrsquot mind breaking so

Yes theyrsquore not yours just let go

-SK

by Aswathy Kumar

Sowmya is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has recently moved to Chester to join her husband Prashant Menon who she married in December 2014 She has always enjoyed writing poetry and wishes she had more time to devote to it

18

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

LET GOhellipA P O E M B Y S O W M Y A K R I S H N A N

The flowers whispered a silent word

The hum in your ears was so unheard

The clouds too listened and shed a tear

The pain of separation is an intimate fear

The time of ever having to let go

The very moment when you try not to show

The emptiness your heart a bottomless pit

That spark in your eye no more seems lit

But the most painful part yet to come

They left you their faces still blossomed with fun

Just as much as you seemed shattered

To them it looked like it hardly mattered

Embracing each other they walked away

You grappled for a reason to make them stay

But then you saw you were alone in this

They didnrsquot seem to find anything amiss

You desired to see those smiling faces once more

Faces you used to see everyday at your door

Yoursquod held them so close once upon a time

But now ask yourself ldquoWere they ever really minerdquo

Its time to turn away too just leave them be

Maybe you saw a bond that they couldnrsquot see

A bond they didnrsquot mind breaking so

Yes theyrsquore not yours just let go

-SK

by Aswathy Kumar

Sowmya is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has recently moved to Chester to join her husband Prashant Menon who she married in December 2014 She has always enjoyed writing poetry and wishes she had more time to devote to it

18

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

HISTORYA T R A V E L O G U E B Y P R A M A C H A N D R A N

More than three years have passed but the experience of

that Ocean Cruise and the sights we saw were so interesting

that the memories are etched deep in our minds

It was a 14 day East Mediterranean Cruise on Queen

Victoria starting from Venice in the North-East of Italy at

the top of the Adriatic Sea and designed to take us to

Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast Egypt on the North African

coast and to Greece and Turkey - places which had been

influenced by the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman

Empire and prior to that by the great Roman Empire and

by Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt

At the designated ports the ship would dock early in the

morning and depart in the evening and passengers have

the option to take shore excursions Taking a ship-arranged

shore excursion is advisable as they will ensure that you are

back on board before they sail away The Cruise Line

arranges the shore excursions in collaboration with reputed

local tour operators Passengers go in groups of 20 to 25

and a guide from the ship accompanies each group for the

tours for comfort and safety

Venice in Italy

My wife and I had flown from London to Venice in a group

of four to board the Cruise Ship We had two days in

Venice enough time to take a Venetian Islands Tour which

included a visit to the famous glass factory on Murano Island

(Murano Glass factory is steeped in history its glass-blowers

are master artisans eager to demonstrate their craft to the

tourists and they make unique and beautiful figurines) The

islands tour was followed by a gondola ride (mandatory if

you want to tell others that you have been to Venice) We

also spent several hours in St Markrsquos Square and visited the

Dogersquos Palace the Bell Tower and the Basilica of San

Marco (St Markrsquos Cathedral)

The St Markrsquos Cathedral is famous for its Byzantine

architecture Replicas of four 13th century life-size bronze

horses adorn the structure (the original horses brought over

from the Byzantine capital after the raid of Constantinople by

the Crusaders and Venetian soldiers in 1204 can be seen in

the museum within the Basilica itself) The presbytery

contains the relics of St Mark which were brought over from

Alexandria Venice originally had a church for St James but

a growing City in the Christian Middle Ages required for

status a distinguished patron saint and if possible the

possession of his relics Hence in about 828 Venice

acquired some relics of St Mark from Alexandria It is said

that two Venetian merchants stole them from the saintrsquos

shrine in Alexandria and then smuggled them out of Egypt in

a barrel of pork (an unclean meat to Muslims and therefore

unlikely to be inspected)

Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler

of a colonial empire In the 15th century with the acquisition

of neighbouring regions the Republic of Venice became an

extensive Italian state In 1485 the French Ambassador had

commented that he considered Venice to be the most

beautiful city and the best administered However the

Republic lost its territories gradually to the Turks during

three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last

hold in the Aegean in 1715 In 1797 the city was conquered

by Napoleon and it was soon merged into Austria-Hungary

Eventually Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899

Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

From Venice Queen Victoria sailed down the Adriatic Sea to

our next destination - Split in Croatia Split is overlooked by

mountains and edged by the deep blue Adriatic Sea Our

day in the city gave us time to explore the breath-taking

centrepiece of the city - Diocletianrsquos Palace a UNESCO

World Heritage site dating back to 295 AD The Roman

Emperor Diocletian spared no expense importing marble

from Italy and Greece and columns and sphinxes from

Egypt Not only is it one of the most impressive Roman ruins

in the world people still live inside it With more than 200

buildings and 3000 residents within an eight-acre enclosed

space the lsquopalacersquo is a mini-city of its own where visitors

can explore the palacersquos treasures which include a

Romanesque belfry a 16th century synagogue and the

various alleys packed with people and lined with bars

restaurants and shops Diocletian had built it not just as his

home but a military fortress He however died within a few

years of it being built After having spent several hours

inside the palace in the short time we had before we had to

return to our ship we strolled along the palm-studded

walkway known as the Riva waterfront promenade which

borders the front of Diocletianrsquos Palace and is dotted with a

number of cafes under white awnings from where one can

watch the boats moored in the harbour

After Split Queen Victoriarsquos next port of call was Dubrovnik

also in Croatia George Bernard Shaw was enchanted by

this beautiful city and had described it as lsquothe Pearl of the

Adriaticrsquo It is known for its distinctive Old Town encircled

a cruise through

P Ramchandran has had a long and distinguished career in finance and banking and is currently the finance director for a group of companies in London He still finds time to regularly contribute to the Palm Leaf on a wide variety of topics and lives in Finchley with

his wife who thinks the world of him

19

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

with massive stone walls completed in the 16thn century

with its many well-preserved and magnificent buildings

At Dubrovnik we had joined the lsquoCable Car and Cavtat Tourrsquo

The Cable Car (built in 1969) rises up in under three

minutes to the top of Mount Srd which towers above

Dubrovnik Its 412m summit offers stunning views of the

walled town below with a panorama of the whole coast

We were then taken to the island of Cavtat which perches

on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays

The sea is as still as a mirror a deep and brilliant blue with

pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond

Greek Island of Corfu

Our next destination was Corfu An island of rugged

mountains and a resort-studded shoreline Its rich culture

reflects years spent under Italian French and British rule

before it was united with Greece in 1864

Alexandria in Egypt

After Corfu Queen Victoria sailed down to the port of

Alexandria in Egypt As the country was in turmoil at the

time we decided not to opt for the shore tour of Cairo

Instead we went ashore in Alexandria itself and had a

wonderful day out

Our first visit was to the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of

Shawqafa one of the seven wonders of the Medieval Ages

which were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey

fell through a hole in the ground The catacombs go down

100ft below ground and were made by cutting into a natural

rock Archaeologists believe that these were made in the

2nd century AD and were used to intern the dead for the

next 200 years

We also went to Qait Bey Fort Alexandriarsquos lighthouse and

one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and to the

National Museum which contains the artefacts recovered

from the Sunken Palace of Cleopatra as well as the Roman

Amphitheatre with its 12 marble terraces and considered to

be the only one of its kind in Europe

Turkey

After Alexandria Queen Victoria sailed up the

Mediterranean into the Aegean Sea for the Port of Kusadasi

where we took the shore excursion to Ephesus 19kms away

on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

Apostles Paul and John were said to have been familiar with

the city of Ephesus Emperor Hadrian is said to have

arranged for dredging and making the harbour navigable

The city had sat at the convergence of three overland trade

routes and a shipping lane from the north and was famous

for its Artemesium the Library of Celsus and its medical

school The Artemesium (a colossal ionic temple dedicated

to Artemis the fertility goddess) was one of the Seven

Wonders of the ancient world which the Romans called the

temple of Diana Today one can see the ruins of the

foundations of this marvellous construction of the Hellenistic

Age entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns

and shafts Some of the sculptures unearthed are in the

British Museum The many-breasted Artemis was the symbol

of the temple and also of abundance hunting and wild life

20

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

The second half of the first century was full of persecution

for the early Christians Apostles James and Stephen were

killed in Jerusalem Paul was sent to Rome and executed

According to tradition John took Mother Mary and came to

Ephesus Located on top a mountain 9 km from Ephesus is

the shrine of Virgin Mary where Mary is said to have spent

her last days (this has been contested) She is said to have

come here together with St John The house of Virgin Mary

is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of

stones A church combining her house and grave was built

in 4th century AD

Queen Victoria was now ready to sail through the Strait of

Dardenelles and into the Sea of Marmaras to reach the

historic city of Istanbul Situated on both sides of the 32 km

long Bosphorus Strait which connects the Sea of Marmara

to Black Sea Istanbul straddles two continents with Europe

ending at one side of the Borsphorus and Asia starting from

the other side In the 4th Century AD this area was

Constantinople capital of the Byzantine Christian world

which kept the warriors of Islam from Western Europe for

several centuries before finally falling to the Ottoman Turks

in 1453

We had a full day tour of Istanbul covering most of the

historic sights which fortunately are dotted around in the

compact Sultanahmet District including the magnificent Aya

Sofya the splendid Blue Mosque the sprawling Topkapi

Palace and the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (which for

centuries was the site of chariot races) Our day tour was

rounded off with a visit to the centuries-old Grand Bazaar

with its more than 4000 shops

The Pelion Peninsula in Greece

After Istanbul Queen Victoria was into the last lap of

The cruise to culminate on the coast of Greece We

reached the port of Volos the next morning on the Pelion

peninsula which juts between Athens and Thessoniki The

Pelion according to Greek legend was the site chosen by

the gods for their revelries and holidays The area remains

little known to travellers from outside Greece but for

Greeks the lush mountain scenery and clean beaches there

are a very popular destination The steep slopes are dense

with apple orchards sweet chestnut trees apricot beech

and oak The Centaurs of Greek mythology lived here The

mountain slopes are dotted with villages with their quaint

houses all with slate roofs which is a special feature here

After a satisfying day out around the Pelion peninsula the

Queen Victoria arrived in Athens the next morning We

unfortunately did not get time to see Athens as we had to

take the flight back to London in the afternoon

If you compare a Cruise Ship to a floating luxury hotel it is

great to be able to take shore excursions during the day

and get back to the hotel for dinner rest and recuperation

and to wake up next morning at an entirely different place

Three Cheers then to all cruise fans out there

MARATHONrunning the London

A P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y R A H U L K R I S H N A N

Rahul works at Procter amp Gamble and loves a good challenge Every year he signs up to something that will test him both physically and mentally and this year decided to run the London Marathon for UNICEF and in memory of Aunty Lekshmi He talks of his

experience here

The London Marathon April 26th 2015

herersquos my recollection of the

experience that day

Sweets I have never really appreciated

these sugar coated delicacies as much

as I did on this day The sharp sizzle

on my lifeless tongue only to create an

aftershock of high magnitude fruit

ripples that strike the inside of my

cheeks and the back of my throat

Salivating abundantly my body

stimulated it was just the boost that I

needed Sweets were my secret

weapon Devastated when I couldnrsquot

find any jelly beans the night before at

my local Tesco Extra can you imagine

my glee to find the British public

fighting for space along the paved

streets of London tripping over curbs

arms out stretched gripping containers

filled with all sorts of candy Then there

was me probably running more side to

side rather than in the expected linear

fashion dodging tiring heels and half

filled abandoned Buxton bottles with

one goal in mind ndash successfully swoop

into the Tupperware boxes to get a

decent handful of candy from these

generous folk

Charity We all love to do our part for

society I like to do one big fundraising

event at least once a year so this year I

ran in aid of UNICEF Thanks to all the

generous donations many of you

included I managed to raise pound2537

falling in the top 5 of fundraisers

across the UK in May I had secured a

golden bond place for the London

Marathon via UNICEF As you can

imagine as hundreds of charities are

represented by thousands of runners at

these kind of events you dont quite

realise the scale until you run 262

miles and see the streets lit up with

coloured t-shirts and a sea of branded

clappers delivering as much base as

my Bang amp Olufsen speakers A record

pound221 million was raised at this years

London marathon a real breath of

fresh air

21

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

Atmosphere Truly exhilarating - you

just canrsquot find as many fans cheering

for you anywhere else and you simply

cannot see sights like these sat on the

circle line - 38000 runners and

750000 spectators Its a real privilege

to be part of such a prestigious event in

the city Id grown up in

All the way from the free train ticket

you get for being a runner to lining up

to start the race in Greenwich park the

day starts off well with the weather

forecast looking almost too good to be

true cool light breeze and not a cloud

in sight At which point you start to

think I canrsquot use that as an excuse any

more

Running through Deptford along the

river and towards Tower Bridge the

locals lay on quite a spectacle with

music bellowing from balconies and

people cheering you on from pubs and

beer tents As you bend back round

and head towards Canary Wharf and

the Docklands be prepared for a few

miles of peace and quiet - the crowds

are a little more scarce but

nonetheless once you get through this

patch you will head down past Black

Friars and Embankment and like me

will probably start picturing the tube

map and the scale of all the stops you

have run past so far and question what

madness yoursquove enrolled in The real

challenge is the last 6 miles new

territory for me seeing as I had only run

a maximum of 20 miles in all my

training

Test This is as much a mental test as

a physical one believe me The

expression lsquoyou can do anything you

put your mind torsquo really couldnrsquot be

more true for a spectacle like this I am

talking to myself the whole time so

much so that I miss the majority of

friends and family that came to support

me (although they were apparently

yelling at me repeatedly) One of my

friends had the right idea - climbing into

a tree to get my attention I really enjoy

running the first 13 miles I am soaking

in the good vibes from the crowd and

fellow runners so donrsquot focus as much

on my tiring legs Miles 13 - 20 are

somewhat bearable in my opinion but I

think it is the last 6 miles that test even

the strongest willed people Torture is

one way to describe it You have got to

dig deep and make the most of the

moments that lift you along the way

Family And friends The real secret

weapon is catching a glimpse of

someone you recognise Faces you

see almost every day you couldnt be

happier to see them now than you

ever have before The adrenalin rush

you get the pride you see on their

faces as you run past makes you just

have to keep going For anyone who

has done the marathon before yoursquoll

know exactly what I mean Coming up

to mile 22 times were hard In the

previous mile I had looked everywhere

to find dad mum Rishi and all the

family friends who I knew were at the

UNICEF cheering point I was

disheartened thinking I had missed

Them Music blaring in my ears I

recall hearing what sounded like

someone bellowing CHETTTAA

Dumbfounded at seeing Rishi out of

the corner of my eye with mum dad

and everyone scattered around him

like pawns on a chessboard I was

quite literally engulfed in joy

Instantly I found my body drifting 90

degrees I felt an extra bounce in my

step and I launched myself into the

group for all of maybe 10 seconds

before I hesitantly pulled away

thinking ldquowhy couldnt this have been

the finish linerdquo Invigorated by

seeing everyone this buzz literally

carries me for the next mile I was

fortunate enough to have so many of

my nearest and dearest there on the

day strategic positioning across the

course really did help me on the day

- I love you all

Finish Buckingham Palace in sight

the noise the feeling of unity with

the other Spartans that were set to

complete the race around the same

time as me I really donrsquot have much

left in the tank at this point and as I

swing past the palace and down the

mall I can see the finish line in all

its glory and a big display with the

race clock ticking on and on

Memories flash back from the time I

volunteered at the London marathon

wrapping the finishers in thermal

blankets and their prestigious

medals I must have been 100

metres away from the line and even

then I am in absolute denial that I

had run this far My feet are

dropping I am simply propelling

myself with whatever momentum I

had I suddenly feel my knees buckle

- a feeling I had never in my life felt

before as though I had lost control I

give myself a virtual slap as a wake

up call and I find inspiration from the

Linford Christie lookalike that

seemed to do a Usain Bolt 100m

finish I have no idea how he saved

that much juice in the tank or

whether he just finished afternoon

tea with the queen and decided to

join the party I pushed my chest out

and just went for it trying to imitate

the hero I had just witnessed A few

steps away I saw finishers

22

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

hi-fiveing some collapsing to the floor

in ecstasy whilst others just walked

along as though it was just another day

in the office I decide to pump my arms

out wide a somewhat dramatic titanic

posture and cross the finish line with

the race clock showing a time that I

really couldnrsquot have foreseen I cannot

wait to see the official results and head

over to Horse Guards Parade to share

the moment with everyone that had

come to support me

415 My final time The seemingly

never ending journey came to an end

after 4 hours and 15 minutes exactly -

15 minutes ahead of my personal

target for the day although my number

one goal was simplyhellipto finish To put

my time in to perspective that is just

over double the time the world record

holder Wilson Kipsang achieved in

2013 I am no less super proud of my

time because it reflects a fair bit of

injury stained training and just pure

determination to not embarrass myself

Hats off to the inhuman pace-makers

that seem to be fuelled by next

generation Duracell batteries and not

oxygenated blood like the rest of us (to

make things slightly more challenging

for themselves they run the marathon

with a 2m long pole with chequered

flag) - just keep up with these guys if

you want to hit your desired time

London If you have not run a marathon

or are yet to run the London one I

really really recommend giving it a go

You dont have to have amazing fitness

to do one - 38000 people all different

shapes sizes and ages partake - and

regardless of the time you will cherish

every moment and feel elated to be

able to proclaim I completed the

London Marathon The feeling you get

when you cross the finish line is like no

other

Inspiration In loving memory of Aunty

Lekshmi

അവിടടവ ം തവിട ംA P E R S O N A L A C C O U N T B Y K N A T A R A J A N

K Natarajan is the President of KALA In the past he used to regularly contribute to The Palm Leaf He has come back to writing after a long break

FacutemSm AhAumliexclv hntijw hAtildeXpwtണടm

Hcp _Ocircp holaquonAcirc t]mbtcedilmAuml bmZrYacutenIambn

AhnsS shumlp Iണട henb Afrac12mbnbpsS

tNmZyw

Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf

tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo

Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw

AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce

aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn

]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave

tZiv]mകെsb t]mbn Iണടp thണട

]cntim[IsfAtildemw Ignordfv tUmIvSAgrave ]dordfp

Congratulations She is Pregnant

mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw

`mcytbmsSmcedilw ]qbnsemacrn sNdnb

IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq

AtcedilmgmWv `mcy KAgrave`nWnbmsbparav

aEcircnemhpparaXv BZyw Hcp sRlaquoAcirc ]nspara

ktacutemjw Rmsup3 ANtildemImsup3 t]mIpparap

]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp

kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw

Znhksectfpw BgvNIfpw amksectfpw Ignordfp

Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc

sImണടpt]mbmiexcln

]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave

Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap

]dordfptIlaquonlaquopണടv AsparaAtildemw almcmjvSbnepw

23

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw aZyntcm[w

DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne

kvtlnXmiddotmAgrave hgn Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlp mlaquonteiexclp t]mIppara Hcp

kplrmacrphgn AXv `mcym holaquonsemacrnumlp

HcmgvNbviexclIw `mcym]nXmhmb Dr TM NairthornsS

Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body

does not require brandy for that

hfscb[nIw _psup2naplaquon Hcp Ipcediln _mണടn

kwLSnപപിumlv ]ecpsSbpw Imep ]nSnumlv AXv

mlaquonsemacrnuml Fspara XangcpsS `mjbnAcirc

]dordfmAcirc Fsup3 ]pmacrnsb sNcpcedilmse

ASniexclWw

Ipsd mAuml Ignordfp HcpZnhkw Hcp sSenKmw

hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw

aqmacraIsup3 Pnumlp Rmsup3 HcNtildembn Fpara

ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn

AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3

Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp

Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow

Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav

AXncpണടmbncpparanAtilde Fniexclv `mcy tlatbbpw

Ipordfptamtbpw Hparap ImWWsaparap tXmparan

]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw

]macrncp]Xp mAuml Immacrncntiexclണടn hparap Rmsup3

]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw

]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo

Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde

Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw

kvssIcedilpw Hparapw DണടmbncpparanAtilde Ipordfptamsup3

Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv

AdnordfXv

]ntaumlparav Hm^oknAcirc FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw t]U

(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp

PnumlXv BnotIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc t]Ubpw

s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw

Fparambncpparap ]Xnhv AsparaAtildemw

almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw BnotIplaquonIAuml

thWsaparambncpparap BKlw BZysmacr Iplaquon

Xspara BnotIplaquon BbXnAcirc Fniexclp Ipdumlp

Kabpw tXmparan

Gaumlhpw ASpmacr aqparapmep IqlaquopImcpambn Hcp

Ipcedilnbpw Xpdparav BtLmjnumlp tamsacirc

Ccp]macrnsblaquonv ]sbrvbarSpiexclmmbn HcmgvNsmacr

eohnAcirc Ccp]macrnbcopymw Znhkw mlaquonsemacrn

Fspara BZyambn HcNtildemiexclnb Fsacirc tams I

ണടp IqlaquomacrnAcirc `mcytbbpw `mcybpsS apJmacrv

kwXr]vXnbpw Aev]w mWhpw Afrac12

BbXnAcirc kwXr]vXnbpw IplaquonbpsS ANtildes

IണടXnAcirc Aev]w mWhpw

apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw

Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw

sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap

kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe

GsaumlSpmacrv IpdumlpmAuml IgnordftcedilmAuml

]mweo^nteiexclv aebmfmacrnAcirc Fsacutebrvbarnepw

FgpXnmacrtcWsaparav FtparamSv Bhiyscedillaquop

AtcedilmAuml Rmsup3 ]dordfp kwKoXm FparanAcirc D

ണടmbncppara FgpmacrpImcsup3 aqparapsImAtildew apfrac14v

acnumlpt]mbn Fparav BZyw Asectns

]dordfpshbrvbarnepw kwKoX BhiyscedilSptfrac14mAuml

kwKoXbpsS best friend v AXv Fsectns

ncmIcniexclmsup3 Ignbpw

aqparapsImAtildemacrne[nIambn IYbpw IhnXbpw

FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw

FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav

FgpXphmsup3 ianiexclmsaparav IcpXn ]spound

FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട

Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten

hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp

aIsup3 ]cntiexclaumlp acniexclnse v almIhn

DAringqAgrave hne]numlp

aWnbpregnIAuml nsectsf

IWnImWmsXbncncedilsXsectns

almIhn Pn ibrvbarciexclpdpcedilnsacirc s]cpacuteNtildesup3

hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn

Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp

]nWbmXncpsparabrvbarnAcirc

Fsacirc DuparaphSn s]mlaquontcedilmbn Fsacirc

DuparaphSnbpw Ahnlaquohpw XhnSp s]mSnbmbn

Fbrvbarnepw ]ngbviexcltണടm

24

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

വിഷ കകണി ഡ ാടട ഡകാ൦A P O E M B Y B B A L A K R I S H N A N

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

Biju Balakrishnan is a proponent of Malayalam literature currently carrying out research at Kerala University into Malayalam poetry Writing extensively in Malayalam he has received several literary awards He is also the lyricist for a number of albums and plays in

Malayalam and was the language consultant for the recent Malayalam movie lsquoCelluloidrsquo

25

െഞഞസമോസേ േിേകകോയെണി െോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേികകകോചച പങകല

േോടിയതോകണങകിലം േനമ മങങോകത

മിനനനന കപോനനിൻ തരിെളോയികപപോഴം

കതോടിയിൽ േിറഞഞേിസനനോര െണികകകോനന

മരേം തരതകരകപപയയനന പകകളം

അരിെിൽ േിരേിരയോയ േിൽകകമോയിരം

െേിെൾ േിറകഞഞോരോ തരേിരപപചചയം

െണട തളിർതത േളർകനനോകരൻ ചററിലം

െോണനന േോടിയ െർണിെോരകകതിർ

പലരിയിൽ കപോൻതടടകലലലോകമോരകകിയി-

ടടമമറതതമമ കെോളതതിയ േിളകകികെ

േിറേസപോയ പകപപോലിപപോടടികെ തോളേം

അരികപപോടിസകകോലതതിേഴെം മദധിയം

തിരിേീടടികയതതനന പതേിലോകേടടേം

െൺെളികരകകണട കെേീടടസമകററോകരൻ

െൺെളിൽസലസതോ േിഷോദകകരിനതെിൽ

കേഞചെസതതസതോ േിഷോദകകടനതടി

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളികയോകകകയം സഷോസകകയ ിേളിലോയ

പലോസററികകപോകകെൾ കേററില കേളരി

കേൽകേററപേെൾ മകകപണടങങളം

പതതൻ ചേടേചചോടനനേർകകിനന

െടടികേതതനന േിഷകകണിസകകോപപെൾ

ംകെമപരഷ ങകൽപരോശിയിൽ

ശോരിെ പോടിതതിമിർതത സമടങങളിൽ

േപരതതോളം െിലകകികകണിപപകകൾ

സേർമതൻതോലം പിടിചച ൗഗനധിെം

െഞഞസമോസേയതിേോൽ െണിെോണേോൻ

േോങങിയതോണചഛേിനനമീ പങകല

െണികയോരകകോൻ കെോതികകനനയചഛകെ

ചിനതെൾകകസമൽ കപയതിറങങീമെൻ

ഈ യഗതതികെ െണികയോരകകങങളോൽ

ഈ മെൻ അചഛേകെേീടടസമെിടോം

എകെ െമപയടടറിൽ കപോയസപപോയേിഷംംഗി-

കയോകകകയിൻസററോൾ കചയതേചചിരികകനനതിൽ

എകതസയോ േർണണങങകളകതസയോ േിംേങങൾ

എകതെണടോലം മതിേരോകകോഴചെൾ

ഓടടേോൽകകണണോടി കേസളോടടെിണടിെൾ

ഓടടരളി മിനനനന കപോനനിൻതരിെളം

െ േണിപപടേെൾ േോടോമലരെൾ

െലങങിചചിരികകനന േോണയതതടടെൾ

െർപപരഗനധതതിലലിയം മദധിയിൽ

െണികയോരകകതതികെയഴെോർനനസമളേം

െണണകപോതതിപപിടിചചോമൗക ടകതതോനന

കലികകകചയതോലം േിഷകകണി സ ോടട സെോം

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

A SHORT STORY BY പി കെ എസസ ഇടടെസേലി

]pmacrsup3holaquonse kZminhv mlaquopImAgrave AcircInb

HmatcedilcmWv tkmcedilv (soap) Cu Kmamacrnse

hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn

AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv

asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr

t]cmWv sNcpcedilv ImenAcirc BWn tcmKw

hparatcedilmAuml sNcncedilv Claquopt]mbn asaumlmcp

kvXobviexclv Claquo t]Agrave IregmSn ImgvNiexclpdhnv

IregS shumlXmWv ChcpsS sXaumlv Acnbpw

sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12

Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap

AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv

PohnXw XpSsectnbXnv FtparamSpw tNmZnumlp Nne

aqcedilsup3amAgrave FacutecsS o henb BcedilokAgrave

Bbntcedilmbm BNmcapdIAuml sXaumlnbvtiexclണട

Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS

CSbnAcirc sNAtildemsup3 aEcircv Hcpsfrac14SpparanAtilde

Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen

Kmaw amdptam

frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3

Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap

kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw

kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3

FAtildemhAgraveiexclpw CjvSambncpparap Xosc ]mbw

Ipdordfhsc kZminhsup3 Cu BchmacrnAcirc

tNcmsup3 t]mOtildemlncedilnumlncpparanAtilde FAtildemw ldquoUrdquo

kAgravelaquon^ntiexclaumlv XamibAtildetAtildem ]Tncedilniexclmsup3

]nparanemsWbrvbarnepw IemhncpparanAcirc hfsc

apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId

]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara

Imew FAtildem ]nparaWn KmbIcpw Xmcsectfpw

]sbrvbarSpmacrncppara hmAgravejnImtLmjsectAuml mlaquonse

hensbmcp DOtildehw Xspara B hAgravejsmacr

mSImacrnAcirc kZminhsup3 Hcp ]laquomf B^okAgrave

Bbncpparap lhnAcircZmAgrave cOumlnXv knwKv

Iണടncppara ImWnIfpsS Iregv XAringn ]laquomf

Nnlaquobpw shSncedilpw hrmacrnbpw ncmacrn

hnffrac14ptfrac14mAuml lhnAcircZmAgrave CSbviexclnSbviexclv ssI

IgpIpw sse^v t_mbv tkmcedilnsacirc Cu

]tbmKw kZminhs tkmcedilv Biexcln

Fsacirc ]hmkn PohnXw ]gb

kvtl_Ocircsmacr XSpmacrnAtilde Rmsup3 holaquonAcirc

Fmacrn FparadnordfmAcirc Hcp Znhksabrvbarnepw

kZminhsup3 FmacrmXncnbviexclnAtilde AYhm

IണടnsAtildebrvbarnAcirc InScedilnemb Afrac12 FtparamSv

tNmZnbviexclpw Fparanlaquov Bsf hnlaquov hnfncedilniexclpw

Afrac12bviexclv Fsacircbpw Nncn tIAumliexclW

ambncpparapshparav ]nspara Rmdnordfp Afrac12bpsS

acWw hsc CXv XpSAgraveparancpparap nemhv

IqSnbpsണടbrvbarnAcirc DjmAgrave Aiexclsc

tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw

sFiexclc apaumlw Nncn apgiexclw sImണടv ndbpw

nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv

FAtildemhcpw aSsectpw kZminhsacirc Hcp Iregnv

sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn

mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS

by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo

26

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

Ce ]dnumlv Inot]SesectfnAcirc DcEcircn Hcp ]umlne

ssXew ]ngnordfv Hgnumlpw XpSAgraveparapAring NnInOtilde

ImgvN jvSmacrnAcirc Ieminumlp hfsc

XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv

ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw

kZminhsup3 hnhcnumlp thorn Ahsup3 s]regpsIlaquon

IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde

]e s]regp ImWepw Sparap ap Fparapw

Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc

Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv

]dbWw Ahkmw tZhn Iregp Xpdparap

s]regns Inlaquon Ipaumlw ]dbcpXtAtildem sImAringmw

tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw

]pdsmacrSpiexclpparanAtilde ]ണടv ]iphns

tabviexclmsbrvbarnepw Ahsup3 ]pdmacrv

hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns

CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv

Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv

amksectfmbn ^eapണടmbnAtilde hgn]mSpw

]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw

Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp

InlaquommacrXnAcirc Atilde ax]mbkw sIlaquonbhസലല

ANtildemtIണടhtAtilde Ignordf Hcp Znhkw Rmsup3

Ahs Iണടp Ipordfns InlaquompAring FAtildem

hgnIfpw ]dordfp sImSpmacrp s]regpw

]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml

kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp

FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw

sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw

thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc

XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3

Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc

tNmZymacrnv kZminhsup3 adp]Sn thorn Fsacirc

apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv

Fnbviexclp Xm IrXyw ]macrpamkmacrnIw

Ahsf ]qAgravereg KAgrave`nWnbmiexcln nspara Rmsup3

Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw

IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara

niexclp amXw

kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw

tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns

tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap

Idh nparamAcirc ]ipiexclplaquonsb tabepImcv

sImSpiexclWw

കലയ ടടകഥA N A R T I C L E B Y J A N A K I N A I R

Janaki a native of Thiruvananthapuram is a gifted Kathakali artist as well as a Bharathanatyam Mohiniyattomand Kuchupudi dancer Her performances are all well received by connoisseurs In Kathakali she specialises on male roles and it is

inspiring to see a female artist perform a central male role so well She is currently working as Senior Public Relations officer in London She has a masters degree in Media Management and is currently pursuing PhD

`mcXobAgraveiexclv Ie Hcp Ap`hamWv AXv

AhcpsS hwiobmp`hmacrnsacirc

]IShpamWv frac12psS Iemcq]sectfpsS kmacr

Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS

Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc

Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb

Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS

NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64

IeIfpണടv Ie AXnsacirc kakvX kmacrbpw

lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv

PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm

tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX

nesImAringpparap apjytbpw

apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara

]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw

Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml

Xmണടn

Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX

kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv

AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw

kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc

tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp

IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv

HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw

frac12psS mSnsacirc tamiddot temIsafrac14mSpw

DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv

CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI

kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml

IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI

]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS

27

െടൽെടകനനതതിയ

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

28

km[niexclmpw frac12psS IeIAumliexclp Ignordfnlaquopണടv

IeItfmSv B`napJyanAtildemmacr PPohnXw

hnckamWv IeIAuml apjysacirc

]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw

IqSnbmWv Item]mkbpw IemkzmZhpw

AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc

BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv

FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n

hscsbbrvbarnepw Hgnhmiexclmsup3 IeIAumliexclp Ignbpw

Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv

inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb

iagraven thorn kumicrocysectAuml DZmmacr tim` AcircIpparap

rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy

kuIpamcytbmKsapara `mhamWv

XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky

kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu

`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v

GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw

GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara

]]copy kXyw AXnsacirc kaRvPk kazbw

AXmWv AAgravesup2mcoizc kbrvbarAcirc]w

`mcXmacrnsacirc ApoundcamebpsS DUcirchhpw

AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw

rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb

BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc

rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon

B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn

]cnWanumlXpw B kqXsectsf

ASnOslashmscedilSpmacrn ]mWnn hymIcW

kqXsagpXnbXpw Asects t]mIpparap

IebpsS Zo]vXamb GSpIAuml Cnbpw

CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml

Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp

hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu

]cnWmasectAuml `mcXkwkviexclmcsmacr sXmlaquodnordf

IemImcsacirc A`ncpNnbnAcirc nparapw

DSseSpmacrXmWv kpKmlyamb AAgravedeghpw

epoundyhpw Iev]numlpsImണടmbncpparap

Cmacrcmacrnse Hmtcm ]cnWmasectfpw

]mXo`hnumlncpparaXv AAtildemsX AXv

ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc

nparambncpparanAtilde

Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc

]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw

Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar

Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS

FSpmacrp]dtbണടXpണടv 1939thornAcirc AhAgrave eണടnAcirc

Iregcopyncedilniexclppara Iem]ISsectAuml

ImgvNhbviexclptfrac14mAuml frac12psS IeIAumliexclv

]mYacutemXy PXbviexclnSbnAcirc ]pXnb Hcp amw

Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap

FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe

AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc

hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS

IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm

Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS

IeIAuml hntZiobcpsS apparanAcirc

AhXcncedilniexclptfrac14mAuml Hcp henb ZuXyamWv

nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm

GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv

]qAgraveregambpw oXn]meniexclphmsup3 Ignbptam

Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv

tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B

alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw

tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw

henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc

Nne `mcXob IemImcmiddotmcpsS ipjvIamb

IemkrjvSnIAuml ImWptfrac14mAuml FXtmacrmfw

Ah XsectAuml A`yknumlp Fparav AhImiscedilSppara

Iemcq]secttfmSv oXn ]peAgravemacrpparap Fparav

thZtbmsS Nnacutenumlp t]mIpparap

Bszligmwiw jvSscedillaquo shdpw ]pdtacutemSpIfpsS

]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS

`mhnsbiexclpdnumlv DXvIWvT Dfhmiexclpparap

IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse

s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc

A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw

Ayamb IebpsS Adnhnsacirc GSpIAuml Gsd

Fparancpparamepw apdnaqImiddotmsc bniexclppara

`oXnPIamb Bszlighnizmkw

Cmacrciexclmtcbpw bniexclpparap

DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw

Bszligob hnImkmacrnsacircbpw

CmicronbmmicroIcamb Ap`hsectfptSbpw

ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav

kzmAgravedeg XmAcirc]cysectAumliexclpthണടn

hfsumlmSniexclptfrac14mAuml AXv B IebpsS

Bszligmimacrnv hgnsbmcpiexclpIbmWv Fpara

Xncnumldnhv DണടmbmAcirc parav Fparav At]pound

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

കല യ ടക യിഡലകക വോഗതം അജിത പിള ദീപതി ഇഷോേ

hellip േമസെോരംhellip

ഞോൻ അജിത ിേിമകയ ജീേിതതതികെെടപപിറപപോയി െോണനന ര െോഴചെളോൽ പതിയ േോതിലെൾ തറകകനന അതിശയിപപികകനന അെപപരങങകള സതടനന ഒര േിസമയംഅതിലകടയള ഈ യോകതhellip

മോർകകകററിങ സഥോപേങങളികല ബി ിേസ ംരണം പിനനീട അേികട േിനന േഴിമോറി എതതിയത എഴതതിലകട പികനന ംേിധോേതതിസലകകഏററേകമോടേിൽ മലയോളതതികല പതിയ ിേിമ കപിഥവിരോജികേോപപം

ബാല ം ടകൌമാരം

അചഛൻ ടി കെ ബോലെഷണ പിള അമമ രമോസദേി ചങങേോകെരിയിൽ ജേേം ഞോൻ ഒര

ോധരണ േിദയോർതഥി ആയിരനന Dyslexic

ആയിരനനതികെ ബദധിമടടം ഉണടോയിരനനരോകരീയേം പികനന കെികകററ (ഒര ചിരിസയോകട)

ഞോൻ ഇകപപോൾ Sussex League first divisional

െളികകനനണട ികഗികക കമകകെോബസയോളജി ആയിരനന േിഷയം അചഛകെരോകരീയ ചിനതെൾഎകനന ഈ മയം ഒരപോട വോധീേിചച സെോസളജിൽ തിെഞഞ ഇടത ചിനതോ അേംോേി ആയിരനന ഈ മയകമലലോം ഞോൻ എഴതമോയിരനന എനനോൽ അനന ഒനനംെോരയമോയി എടതതിരനനിലല പകെ ഈ മയം ഒരപോട ിേിമെൾ െോണമോയിരനന

വഴിതതിരിവ

lsquoഎലലോതതിേം ഒര െോരണം ഉണട ദോ ോrsquo എനനത ശരി കയനന സപോകല ജീേിതം എകനന എതതിചചത എം ബി എ പഠേതതിേോയിരനന അതിന സശഷം െയോമപസസിൽ േിനന ഒര FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer

Goods) െമപേിയകട മോർകകററിംഗ ഉസദയോഗമോയി ആകരികകയിസലകക അേികട െറചച േർഷങങൾhellip ആകരികക എകനന മോററി മറിചചhellip ആകരികകയികല

ംരിംോഗം രോജയങങളിലം സപോെോൻ അേ രമണടോയി

ഒര െണകകിന യോകതെളോണ ഞോൻ എനനേയകതികയ സമോൾ കചയതത ഇനതയയിലംആകരികകയിലം യസറോപപിലം െണട ജീേിതങങളംഅേംേങങളം എകനന വോധീേിചച സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതതതികെ പഠേം എനനിൽ ഉണടോകകിയ മോേ ിെമോയ മോററങങൾ ജീേിതകതത ഹോയിചച

പിനനീട ഇനതയയിൽ തിരിചച എതതി ഒര Google

based െമപേി യിൽ മോർകകററിംഗ മോസേജർ ആയി തടകകം

സമോശം െയയെരം കെോണട എഴതോൻ മടിചചിരനന എകനന േീണടം എഴതതിസലകക േയിചചതിേ

കടകസേോളജികക േനദി 2010 ഓട െടി പര യ സമഖലയിൽ െടതൽ അേംേം ഈ മയതത ിേിമ കയകകറിചച ഒരപോട ചിനതികകോേം അതികെംോഗമോേോേം െഴിയസമോ എനന ചിനതിചച തടങങിhellip എകെഅചഛന പണട ഉണടോയിരനന ഒര തീയറററികെഓർമമെൾ സലശം ആസേശം എനനിൽ ഉളേോകകി എനനളളത േോസതേം

2010-11 െോലഘടടതതിൽ ഞോൻ ldquoധോകതിrdquo യകടമോർകകററിംഗ േിംോഗതതികെ അംിേോജയ

ഘടെമോയിരനന 2012ൽ ഒര marketing consultancy

തടങങിയ ഞോൻ മഴേൻ മയ സജോലിയിൽ േിനന ഒര സകബകക എടതത ിേിമയം എഴതതം െടതൽ ീരിയസ ആയി ചിനതികകോൻ തടങങി

AJITH PILLAIldquoസ ോമലതrdquo

in conversation with

29

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

എനതാണ താങകളടട ിനിമ

എകെ ിേിമ എനനോൽ എകെ കപതിെരണമോണ 2012ൽ രണട സകെിപററെളിൽ േർകക കചയത ഞോൻ ആദയം എഴതിയതലല എകെ ആദയകതത ിേിമ ഒര യറകടർ എനന േിലകക എേികക എകെതോയ ഒര ചിനതോഗതി ഉണട എലലോേരം കചയയനന സപോകല ലോംം മോകതം കെോയയനന ഒര െചചേട ചിനതോഗതിയിൽ മോധയമകതതഉപസയോഗികകേതികേകകോൾ ജേങങൾ വീെരികകനനചിനതികകനന ചിനതിപപികകനന ഒര ിേിമയിൽ ആണ ഞോൻ േിശവ ികകനനത എകനന േിശവ ിചച ഇൻകേസററ കചയനന ഒര ടീമികേ സപപോർടട കചയയെയം സേണം അേരഞzwnjജേം ആേോംപകെ മഴേൻ ിേിമയകട ആതമോവ സപോേനന െണകകിൽ ആേരകതനന മോകതം

ജീവിതം ിനിമയിൽ എതതിയഡപപാൾ അന ഭവങങൾ ഹായിഡചാ

സെോർപപസറററ ജീേിതം ിേിമയികല ംഘങങളമോയി ഇണ സചർനന സപോെോൻ എകനന ഉറപപോയം ഹോയിചചിടടണട കകപോജകററ മോസേജzwnjകമെ എകസപീരിയൻസ എഴതതെോരൻ എനന േിലയിൽ േിനനം ംേിധോയെേിസലകകള യോകതയിൽ ഹോയിചചിടടണട

ആദയ ിനിമ ടയകക റിച ഒര സടപഷയൽ ഡപര ആണഡലലാ

ആെമോേിലം ലെദവീപിലം ഷടട കചയത ldquoസമോ യികല െതിര മീേെൾrdquo ആണ ആദയ ചികതം ീപപ ീയിൽ ഷടട കചയത ആ ചികതംലെദവീപികെ അെെോഴച പറസതതകക െോണിചച കെോടകകോൻ കശമിചചിടടണട lsquoതലോഖrsquo എനന ോമഹിെ കപശേകതത െറിചച െഥയകടംോഗമോയി അതിൽ പറഞഞ സപോെനനണട ണണി കേയിൻ അ ിഫ അലി വോതി കറഡഡി എനനിേരോണ മഖയ െഥോപോകതങങകള അേതരിപപിചചത

(ചിരി)

സമോ എനനോൽ ലെദവീപ ംോഷയിൽ തിര എനനോണ െതിരമീൻ എനനോൽ swordfish (േമമകട കെോമപൻ ക ോവ) കെോമപൻ ക ോവ കപോതകേ തൻെോരയം മോകതം സേോകകനന ഒര േിംോഗം ആണഇതികല െഥോപോകതങങൾ സപോകല

ശരികകം MKM ഒര മെോലിെ ിേിമയോണസകപമോർ൫മോയ ഹോ യ ര ങങളള ോമഹിെ ചിനതെൾ ഉൾകകകോണട ള ഒര ചികതം ോമപതതിെമോയി േിജയം സേടി അസതോകടോപപം മഹതതികല ഒര േിംോഗതതികേ കയങകിലംസപർശികകെയം കചയത

വാധീനിച ിനിമകൾ

േളകര അധിെം ിേിമെൾ വധീേിചചിടടണട പല ംോഷെളിൽ shawshank redemption the bands visit

double life of veronica machan Taeguki Sin nombre

അങങകേ േിറകയ ിേിമെൾ

വാധീനിച എഴ തത കാരzwj

ിേിമ എഴതതെോരിൽ കശീേിേോ കെ എഴതത രീതി േളകര ഇരമോണ ോഹിതയെോരൻമോരിൽ എം മെനദൻ മലയോററർ േി കെ എൻതടങങിയേർ

ിേിമ ആഖയോേ കശലി മലയോളതതിൽ കെ ജി George മെോലീേരിൽ അൻേർ റഷീദ സപോളിഷ ിേിമയിൽ െിസേലോസെി ഇറോേിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ മജീദ മജീദി കെോറിയൻ ിേിമയിൽ പോർകക ചോൻ േക സഹോളി േ ിൽ കലിന ഈസററ േ

നാടള

പതിയ കകപോജകററ കപിതഥവിരോജzwnj േോയെേോെനന ഒര ിേിമയോണ

കെോങകണ ക ൻ ആണ േോയിെ അടതത േർഷംപെതിസയോകട തീയറററിൽഎതതം

5 േർഷതതിേളിൽ ഒര ഹിനദി സകപോകജകററം (സദശിയ ചികതം) ഒര അനതർസദശീയ ചികതേം കചയയണം എനനണട ഒര തമിഴ കകപോജകററ ോദധതയം ഉണട

ദീപതിഡയാട ഒര ഡ ാദയം

ഉള േലല സജോലി മോററി കേചചിടട ിേിമകയ സസേഹിചച ംർതതോേിസേോട ആദയം പറഞഞകതനതോണ - ഞോൻ ഐ ടി യിൽ േർകക കചയനന ഇരം ഉള ഒര സമഖലയിൽ സജോലി കചയയനനതികേ ഞോൻ പിനതോങങിയികടട ഉള ഒര പതമ ഉള creative ആയ രീൽ ആണസലലോhellipപികനന ഒര സജോലിയിൽ മേസസ ഉറപപികകസമപോൾ അത േിജയം ആകകോേള ഒര മേസസ ഉണടഎനനം മേ ിലോകകിയിരനനhellip

ഒര കചറ ചിരിസയോകട അജിത മോധോേമോയി എനന പറയനനhellip

േോസളകക എലലോ ംോേെങങളം സേരനന ഉയർചചയകട പടേെൾ െയറോൻ അേ രങങൾഉണടോേസടട എനന കപോർതഥേസയോകടhellip ഇകതയം സേരം െല യ കെ യകട െകട ചിലേഴിചചതിേ േനദി

പിരിഞഞ സപോേസമപോൾ സലഖെകെ മേസസപറഞഞ ര മോയ ചിനതെസളോകട ര െരങങളോയ അേംേങങളിലകട മലയോള ിേിമയകട േലലേോകളകകോയി െോതതകേചച ോധോരണകകോരിൽ ോധോരണകകോരേോയ ഒര േലല െലോെോരകേയസലല േമമൾ െണടത എനനhellip

എലലോ ംോേെങങളം കശീ അജിത പിള30

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

മോററേിൻ ചടടങങകളയകലലനനോെിൽ

മോററ മതെളീ േിങങകളതതോകേ -

സനനോതീ െമോരേോശോേോം െേി

മോററമിലലോകത തടരോേോെസമോ േമമൾകക

മോറികകകോണടിരികകമീ േേയഗതതിൽ

മോറോൻ ഞോേം സകലശം ഏകറസസഹിചച

സെറീടം ഇനറർ കേററിൽ ഞോൻ അേദിേം

സെറിയോൽ പികനന ഇറങങേോൻ പണി

ആയർകകിടോേോം ആ േേേീത സചോരൻ

േോകയോനന കപോളികകസേ െണടീലസയോ

തോയോം യസശോദ ഈസരഴലെം േോയിൽ

ആ േിധം സതബധേോയിരനനസപോം ഞോേം

മോററി ഞോൻ സേഷംഷോദിെൾ സമേിയിൽ

സെററീ േർണശംളമോം െള േം െർതതയം

മോററിയകതസനത സേഷം എനനോരോഞഞ ചിലർ

േോസടോടസമപോൾ േോമം േടസേ സയോടിസടസണട

കപോയം െടനനിസതഴ പതതം പികനനസയോനനമോയി

െോയബലേം െറഞഞ െയിചച െോൽമടടെൾ

ഊനനേടികയോസനനയോകശയം ഓമൽകകിടോേസപോകല

േർനന േടകകോകേോര കെതതോകങങനനസപോകല

മോററം തോേിതസമോർകകിലളിൽ േിനനമീശൻ

െോററസപോംെോലം േരകമസനനോർമമിപപികകയോേോം

മാററംUlloor M Parameswaran is a poet and translator He retired as Professor of Library Science at Calicut University and

received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for the best Translation work in 2013 He is a published author of fiction and poetry collections

A P O E M B Y U L L O O R M P A R A M E S W A R A N

31

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

പി പതമരോജൻ അഥേോ പെരം േയകകോേിലലോതത കപതിം

ഈ ഗനധർവ ോനനിദധയം മലയോളതതിന േരമോയിടട 24 േർഷങങൾhellip

മോേോെോേം മയിലോെോേം േികെ ചണടികല മതതമോെോേം േിമിഷോർദധം സപോലം സേണടോതത ഗഗേ ഞചോരി കയനന പറഞഞ മറഞഞ മലയോള ിേിമ ചരികതതതിൽ േയതയസഥ െോഴചകയോരകകിയ അതലലയ കപതിം തകെ െകയയോപപ പതിഞഞ ഒരപിടി േലല ിേിമെൾ മലയോളിസകകെിമോഞഞസപോയ േെകതം

ഇേി േെകതങങസളെോേൽ

മലയോളിയകട മേസസിൽ കേോമപരപേോയി ജേേരിയകട േരമോയി ഇനനകലെളിൽ മോകതമലല ഇനനിലം പതമരോജൻ ജീേികകനനhellip അമരേോയി

1946 കമയ 23 ന ആലപപഴ ജിലലയികല ഹരിപപോടിേടതത മതെളതതോയിരനനപതമരോജകെ ജേേം ശോസകത ബിരദം സേടി 1965ൽ ആൾ ഇനതയ സറ ിസയോയിൽ സകപോകഗോംഅകേൗൺസറോയി ഔസദയോഗിെ ജീേിതതതിേ തടകകം െറിചച ഹകപേർതതെയോയിരനനരോധോലെമികയ ജീേിത ഖിയോകകി

െലോലയ െോലഘടടതതിൽ തകനന എഴതതിസേോട െമപമോയിരനനhellip അേോയോ മോയ എഴതതിൽ െഥെളം സേോേലെളം േിരിഞഞ ആദയ െഥ സലോല മിസസരോർ കൌമദിയിൽ കപ ിദധീെരിചച

45 േയസസിേിടകക 15 സേോേലെളം 36 തിരകകഥ െളം ഒടടേേധി െഥെളം കേളിചചം െണട 1972 ൽ േെകതങങകള െോേൽ എനന സേോേൽ സെരള ോഹിതയ അകകോദമി പരസെോരതതിന അർഹമോയി പല െതിെളം ിേിമയോയി പരിണമിചച

1975 ൽ കപയോണം എനന ിേിമയകക െഥയം തിരകകഥയം രചിചച മലയോള ിേിമോ സലോെസതതകക പടിെടകനനതതസമപോൾ അതേകര യണടോയിരനന ിേിമോ ങകൽപപങങൾ മോററി

എഴതകപപടെയോയിരനന അകത പസപപടടൻ എനന സസേഹസപപരിൽ അറിയകപപടടിരനന പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമസയയം സകപെെ ഹദയങങകളയംെീഴടകകെയോയിരനന

ശകതമോകയോര െടടകെടടോണ കപയോണം മലയോള

ിേിമയകക മമോേിചചത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടട

മലയോള ിേിമയകട ചരികതകമടതതോൽ ഈെടടോയമയിൽ പിറേികയടതത ചികതങങൾ ഇനതയൻ ിേിമോ ചരികതതതികലതതകനന മിെചച ചികതങങൾ എനനതകനന പറയോേനനതോണ അതിൽ എടതത പറസയണട ചികതങങളോണ രതിേിർസവദേം തെരയം സലോറിയം

ജയംോരതിെഷണചകനദൻ സരഖകപതോപസപോതതൻ അചചൻെഞഞ േിതയ തടങങിയേകരലലോം പിനനീടം ഒരപോട ചികതങങളിൽ ംോഗംോകകോയിടടകണടങകിലം അേരേകര അറിഞഞതം അറിയിചചതം ഈചികതങങളിലകട തകനനകയനന േിസസംശയം പറയോം

അേോർ ിേിമകയനനം േോണിജയ ിേിമകയനനം േിംജികകകപപടടിരനന മലയോള ിേിമയിൽ മദധയേർതതി ിേിമകയനന തരംഗം രടികകകപപടടത പതമരോജൻ-ംരതൻ െടടകെടടിലകട ആയിരനന

പല കപമഖ ംേിധോയെരകടയം മിെചചചികതങങൾ പതമരോജേകമോതതള െടടകെടടിൽ രപം കെോണടതോണ ഐേിശശി കെ എസസ തമോധേൻ കെ ജി സജോർജ സമോഹൻശങകരൻ േോയർ സജോഷി തടങങിയേർ അതിൽ ചില1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേർ

1978 േകര െഥോ-തിരകകഥ രംഗകതത ജീേ ോനനിദധയമോയിരനനകേങകിൽ 1979ൽ െഥയം

പതമരാജന ജന വരിയ ടട നഷടം

ഏതോണട 10 േർഷസതതോളം യകെ യികല സേോടടിനങഹോമിൽ ഇസപപോൾ രണട േർഷമോയി ഓസകകടലിയയികല കമൽബണിൽ പഠേം എറണോെളം മഹോരോജോ ിൽ ഓസകകടലിയയിലം യകെയിലം ൗതത െോലിസരോർണിയയിലം

ഇനതയയിലം അടകകം സലോെതതികെ പല ംോഗങങളിലം ഉള ആേെോലിെങങളിൽ സഥിരമോയി എഴതനന

A B I O G R A P H Y B Y A N I L Z A I N

32

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

തിരകകഥയം ംേിധോേേമോയി മകററോരതഭതം

രികകയോയിരനന കപരേഴിയമപലതതിലകട

പെയം േിസദവഷേം ചോടടളിയോയി ൌമോര

മേസസിലകട പടർനനിറങങിയസപപോൾ േിസമയിചചത

മലയോളമോണhellip ഒപപം മലയോളികക ഉണടെണണള

േോയെസേയം മമോേിചച കപരേഴിയമപലംhellip

അസശോെകേhellip

അസശോെകേസപോകല പതമരോജസപർശതതിലകട

മലയോളതതികെ മണിമതതെൾ ആയേർ ഏകറ

കേളതത കമലിഞഞ മിമികെിയമോയി േടനനിരനന

ഒര പയയൻ മലയോള ിേിമയകട

അേിംോജയഘടെമോയി മോറോൻ അധിെ േോൾ

സേണടിേനനിലല അതോണ ജയറോം അപരൻ എനന

ചികതതതിലകട ഇരടട സേഷങങളിൽ മലയോളിയകട

മേസസികെ ആഴങങളിസലകക ഊളിയിടടടിറങങോൻ ആ

സേഷം ധോരോളമോയിരനന കദേസതതോസടോപപമോണ

പസപപടടന തകെ മേസസിൽ സഥോേം എനനോണ ജയറോം

പറയോജയറോമികെ മിെചച രണട സേഷങങൾ െടി

സകപെെർകകോയി പതമരോജൻ ഒരകകിേചച

മനനോംപകകേം ഇനനകല യം ഇനനം സകപെെർ

ജയറോമികേ ഇരടകപപടനനകേങകിൽ തീർചചയോയം

ഈ ചികതങങളകട കപോധോേയം േിസമരികകോേോെിലല

േളകര അകപതീെിതമോയി മകററോര കചറപപകകോരൻ

െടി മലയോളി മേസസിൽ സചസകകറി തോമ ിയോകത

തമിഴ മകകൾകകിടകകംhellip ഷടടിംഗ െോണോകേതതിയ

േിദയോർഥി െടടതതിൽ േിനനം കേളതത

കെോലനനകേയള മടി േീടടി േളർതതിയ

കചറപപകകോരകേ പതമരോജൻ െയോമറകക

മനനികലതതികകോൻ കതലലം ആസലോചിചചിലല രേി

പതതരോേോയി െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതിൽ

റഹമോകെ അരസങങററം പറനന പറനന പറനന

മറംോഷ ചികതങങളിലം െരിയിലെോററ സപോകല

മനനോംപകകം എനനീ ചികതങങളിലം റഹമോൻ േിറ

ോേിദധയമോയി

െകടേികട എനന ചികതതതികെ േിസമയം

അേികടയം തീരനനിലലhellip പടടോളെോരേോയ

െോമെകെയം കപിയ ശിഷയനകറയം മദധയ

മമർദങങളോൽ േീർപപമടടനന ആലീ ികേ ആർകക

മറകകോേോെം ചോരഹോ ൻ-െമലോഹോ ൻ

െടംബതതിസലകക ആലീക തതി

ഹോ ിേിയിലകട പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ

സപർശതതിൽ േിരിഞഞ മകററോര െ മം

പചചെണണള കപൺെടടികയ മലയോളിെൾ ഇനനം

മറനനിടടിലല ശോരികയ സദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല എനന

ചികതതതികല ആ കപൺെടടികക ോലികക ശോരിയകട

മഖമലലോകത മകററോര മഖം ആർകക

ങകൽപപികകോേോെം അതസപോകല സ ോളമകെ

ഹദയതതിൽ സചസകകറിയസ ോരിയയോയം

ശോരിയലലോകത പെരം േയകകോൻ മററോര

ആദയ ചികതം തകെ സപരിസേോട സചർകകകപപടടയോളോണ

ഇടസേള ബോബ പതമരോജകെ മോകനതിെ േിരലികല

രിയോണതം െടോകത ിേിമോ കപേർതതെരോയ

സരഷ ഉണണിതതോൻ കപരനതചചൻ കരയിം

അജയൻകെസസി തടങങിയേകരലലോം ശിഷയഗണതതിൽ

കപടനന

കപസമയതതിലം അേതരണതതിലം ഒനനികേോനന

േയതയസഥത പലർതതിയ ചികതങങളോയിരനന

പതമരോജേിൽ േിനനം രപം കെോണടേ

േരടകപണയതതികെ െഥ പറഞഞ േേംബറികെ

േോർദധെയഒററകപപടലെൾ കേളിേോകകിയ തിങകളോഴച

േലല ദിേ ംഅേോഥമോെനന ബോലയതതികെ

കേോമപരകപപടലെളിലകട കേോമപരതതിപവ

മയകകമരനനം രതിയം െടിെഴയനന ീ ൺ

കപസലോപേതതികെയം കപസെോപേതതികെയം

സേർെോഴചയോയ അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ

ംഘർഷ മേസസെളിസലകകള എതതിസേോടടമോയ

െകടേികട പെയകട െഥ പറഞഞ െരിമപിൻ

പേിേകകകര ിേിമയികല ജീേിതേം

ജീേിതതതികല ിേിമയം അേോേരണം കചയത

െരിയിലെോററസപോകല ഉറേ േററോതത സസേഹം

ങകടെടലോകകി മോററിയ മനനോംപകകം ടോങകർ

സലോറിയമോയി ചരമിറങങി സകപെെ മേസസിൽ

സചസകകറിയ േമകക പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

മഴയകട മോകനതിെതയിൽ എേികടേിസനനോ േനന

എസങങോസടടോ സപോയ കലോരയകട േയതസത

കപണയതതിൻ െഥ പറഞഞ തേോേതതമപിെൾ

പടടിെ തീരനനിലല ഒടകകം െഥെൾ പറഞഞ

പറഞഞ മേഷയ െഥെൾകക മെളിൽ33

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

പോലപപമണമള ഗനധർേ െഥേകര പസപപടടൻ

േമസകകെി

േകലലോര െഥപറചചിലെോരകേങകിലം

ചിലസപപോകഴങകിലം പല െഥെളം അസദഹം ിേിമോ

ംോഷയതതിേ സേണടി െടം കെോണടിടടണട

േോ നതിയകട തമിഴ െഥയിൽ േിനനം രപം

കെോണടതോണ െകടേികടയം ഇനനകലയം

അതസപോകല ധോെർ മംഗസളോദയം കെകെ

ധോെരൻ എനനിേരിൽ േിനനം െഥെൾ

ിേിമയോകകിയിടടണട

മലയോള ിേിമകയ പതമരോജേമോയി

ബനധിപപികകസമപോൾ ര െരമോയ ഒതതിരി െോരയങങൾ

ദർശികകോേനനതോണ 1986 ൽ മോകതം പതമരോജകെ

ംേിധോേതതിൽ അഞച ചികതങങൾ പറതത േനന

എനനളതോണ കശസദധയമോയ െോരയം േമകക

പോർകകോൻ മനതിരിസതതോപപെൾ

െരിയിലെോററസപോകലസദശോടേകകിളി െരയോറിലല

അരപപടട കെടടിയ കഗോമതതിൽ കേോമപരതതിപവ

തടങങിയേയോണ ആ ചികതങങൾ ഈ ചികതങങളകട

േയതയസഥത മോകതം മതി പതമരോജൻ എനന

കപതിംകയ തിരിചചറിയോൻ

86കേ ംബനധിചചിടസതതോളം മകററോര സേടടം

െടിയണട 1979 ൽ കപരേഴിയമപലതതിേ ലംിചച

സദശീയ അേോർ ിേ സശഷം തിങകളോഴച േലല

ദിേ തതിേള സദശീയ അേോർ ലംിചച

േർഷമോണ 1986

പതമരോജകെ ിേിമോ ജീേിതം 1975 ൽ

കപയോണതതിൽ തടങങി 1991 ൽ ഞോൻ ഗനധർവേിൽ

അേ ോേികകസമപോൾ 1976കലോഴിചച തടർചചയോയ

പതിേഞച േർഷകകോലേം െഥയം തിരകകഥയം

ംേിധോേേമോയി ജീേമോയി മലയോള ിേിമോ

രംഗതതണടോയിരനന എനനതോണ തയം

അതസപോകല എടതതപറസയണട ഒനനോണ പതമരോജൻ

ിേിമെളികല ഗോേങങൾ പതതൻ തലമറയകട

ചണടെളിൽ സപോലം തതതി െളികകനന

ഗോേങങളോണ അതിസലകറയം ആടിേോ െോസററ

ഒനനോം രോഗം പോടി സദേീ സദേോങകണങങൾ പേിഴം

സപോൽ ഉണരമീ ഗോേം തടങങിയേ അതിൽ ചിലത

മോകതം

കപമഖ േടനമോരോയ മമമടടി സമോഹൻ ലോൽ ംരത

സഗോപി കേടമടിതിലെൻ തടങങിയേരകടകയലലോം

മിെചച കപെടേം പതമരോജൻ ചികതങങളിലകട

യോയിരനനകേനന േിസസംശയം പറയോേനനതോണ

തീരോ കപണയങങളകട െഥെൾ പറഞഞ പറഞഞ

കപണയോതരമോർകനനോര മേസസ മലയോളിസകകെി

േോൽപപതതി അഞചോം േയസസിൽ ഗനധർവസലോെസതതകക

മറഞഞ പി പതമരോജൻ എനന കപതിംകയ

മലയോളതതിേ മറകകോേോെിലലhellip

മഴയള െോലസതതോളംhellip ഓസരോ

മഴതളിസയോടകമോപപംhellip

ഇേി േെകതങങകള െോേൽ

Drawing of a Mohini dancer by Aswathy Kumar

34

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

35

KULASEKHARAMG K N A M P O O T H I R I

Sri G K Nampoothiri Born in Changanassery and graduated from Trivandrum Engineering College in 1970 Activities includes Temple renovation work at Thiruvattar Adikesava Temple Small rubber plantation holders association

Actively involved in Pain and Palliative care Currently President of Fine Arts Centre Kulasekharam

tales from the

]nb kplrtmacr

Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects

Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v

kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv

HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml

Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb

NSsectpItfmsS Smacrn tlmantbm

tImtfPmbncpparap cwKw DOtildemliexclfrac12aumlnbnse

Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc

HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn

ItkcbnAcirc Ccniexclphmsup3 km[numlnAtilde Fbrvbarnepw

Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml

aEcircns Dplusmno]vXamiexcln NnecpsS Nne

kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml

Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml

kvtlmacrnsacirc thorn ImcpWymacrnsacirc oAgraveamXfw

s]mlaquon hncnbpsparaparaphcmw aaumlp NnetcedilmAuml B

hmiexclpIAuml PohnXmacrnsacirc hgnmacrncnhpw

Bbnmacrocmw

ImesectAumliexclp apsup3]v apmacrNtildesacirc acWsmacrcedilaumln

Afrac12 ]dordf hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc hparap Xlaquon

AsX kl[Agravefrac12nWnbpsS Hcp kv]Agraveiw

t]ciexclnSmhnsacirc Hcp Npw_w

kplrmacrpiexclfpsS ]pcopyncn bmXsb (Aacutena

hnShmsectAcirc) ]qAgraveregXbpsS nZbnteiexclv sfrac12

bntumliexclmw ]pAgraveOumln CAtildemmacr

Xncnumlpt]miexclv tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc

kmdnsacirc lrZbkv]Agraveinbmb hmiexclpIfmWv

tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3

sFknbphnAcirc shacircnteaumldpsS klmbmacrmAcirc

henb ss^hvIgravemAgrave Bip]XnbnAcirc aiexclfpsS

]uVn sXfnbniexclmsup3 mw tImcedilp

Iqlaquonsbparaphcmw kuZnbnAcirc nparapw Ahsup3

hcWw AacuteyZAgraveimacrnv

BAcirc_Agravelaquov Imap () hnsacirc Aysup3 XmbrvbarAuml

hmbnumlncniexclpw Afrac12bpsS acWw Cparaetbm

Hcp ]tpound annordfmtparam lm v F sU

IzmjyAcirc eohv hrsup2 kZmacrnAcirc FmacrWw

apjysacirc AyhAcirciexclcWw FX

_o`OtildeamIpparap _OcircsectAuml FX

bmacutenIamIpparap Xnctiexcldnb PohnXmacrnAcirc

Imew sfrac12 sImsണടmacrnumlncniexclpparaXv

ChnsSbmWv Btcbpw ]gn]dordfnlaquov ImcyanAtilde

KrlmXpcXzw jvSscedillaquo aEcircns F v

kXviexclAgravefrac12amWv sNiquestmmhpI Pw thorn

IpcedilncedilmAcirc hfAgraveuml thorn kne_Ecircv Apkcnuml

]Tw thorn DtZymKw thorn kne_Ecircpkcnuml PohnXw

thorn hnhmlw hnhmltamNw NnlaquocedilSn

ImcysectAuml aIfptStbm acpaiexclfptStbm

sjUyqfnAcirc ANtildefrac12amcnAtilde AhcpsS IpaumlaAtilde

PohnX bmXbnAcirc aaumlpAringhAgrave (ANtildefrac12amcpw)

hnjbo`hniexclpparanAtilde

]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc BZysmacr

]ndparamfnAcirc tUmIvSAgrave cmPtKm]mAcirc kmAgrave lsquo3Hrsquo

Isfcedilaumln ]cmaAgraveiniexclpIbpണടmbn Heart Head

Hand FparamWv B aqparap slumlpIAuml

hnhpoundniexclpparaXv Cparav slUmWv FAtildemmacrnpw

apIfnAcirc _psup2n frac12psS FAtildem

]hAgravemacrsectfpw slIacutens apparanAcirc

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

ImAgraveiexcliyamiexclpI FAtildem

s]m^jWepIAumliexclpw thണടXv AXmWv

AsX kvtlhpw ImcpWyhpw

klXm]hpw FAtildemw cണടmw Xcmacrntem

aqparamw Xcmacrntem XAringscedilSpparap kzmAgravedegmb

_psup2nsb ]tNmZncedilniexclpparaXmWv hnZy

hnZybpsS A`ymkw IqSptacutemdpw apjysup3

acniexclpIbAtilde NmhpIbmWv

BZymp`hsectsf ]brvbarpshuml IqlaquomacrnAcirc

Atplusmnlw RsectfpsS io Fpara tcmKnsbcedilaumln

kqNncedilniexclpIbpണടmbn amkw 4000 cq] ImAgrave

hmSI 1500 cq] aumlyq_v amaumlphmsup3

takvXncnamcpsS ssIiquestmfmb io Ggp

hAgravejambn InScedilmWv hoSv tImnotIoaumlv sNbvX

]WniexclnSbnAcirc sXparanmacrmsg hoWv

slaquosAtildemSnordfv ImepIAuml Oslashw`numlp InScedilmWv

tUmIvSAgraveamtcmSv Gaumlhpw parambn

klIcniexclppara hyagravenbpamWv cmhnse

acpparanmbn hnfniexclpw aumlyq_v amaumlmsup3

BZyLlaquomacrnAcirc FAtildemhcpw t]mIpambncpparap

CtcedilmAuml +2thornhnAcirc ]Tniexclppara aImWv

hrmacrnbmbn aumlyq_v amaumlpparaXv Aണടnbm^oknse

tPmen Ignordfp hparapthWw `Agravemacrmhnv

Blmcw AcircImsup3 ]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc

acpparapw aaumlp]IcWsectfpw e`numltXmsS aIpw

aIfpw kvIqfnAcirc t]mbnmacrpSsectn CtcedilmAuml

CSbviexclnsS amXw iothornbpsS hoSp kmicroAgraveiw

Hgnhmiexclmsup3 km[niexclpparap RsectfpsS

tcmKnIfnAcirc Hot Wire Bb Ipamdnsacirc OslashnXnbpw

CXmWv acmacrnAcirc nparav hoW Ipamdnv

]copykmcbpsS AkpJhpw Dണട v GsXbrvbarnepw

hmfacircnbAgrave cagravemacrnse ]copykmcbpsS Afhp

tmiexclnbpw aaumlpw acpparapIfpw

sImSpmacrbiexclpparap Atplusmnlmacrnv acpparapw thorn

IpdnamsectAumliexclp ]m[myw aaumlp hnjbsectAuml

kwkmcniexclpI ]pkvXIsectAuml (Xangpw

aebmfhpw) hmbniexclmsup3 InlaquopI Cu

ImepIfnAcirc Fen IcണടmAcirc IqSnbpw AdnbnAtilde

cണടp aiexclsf hnhmlw Ignumlp sImSpmacrp

FAtildemmacrnpw `mcybmWv klmbn

Atplusmnlmacrnsacirc hmbbpw ]`mpoundWsectfpw

Atplusmnlsmacr Hcp henb temImacrnsacirc

DSaOslashmbn amaumlpparap CubnsS Osho

]pkvXIsectAuml hmbnuml DOtildemlmacrnemWv

t^mnot hnfnIAuml RsectfpsS centoniexclnAcirc hcppara

Iacutekzmantbbpw `mcytbbpw adiexclmsup3

kmsup2yaAtilde `mcym `Agravemacrr _Ocircmacrnse

kXyhmsup3thornkmhnXn amcmWv AhAgrave Xebnse

aumlyqaAgrave Hmcediltdaumlp sNiquestmsup3 IgnordfnAtilde CtcedilmAuml

AXv Iymsup3kdmbn `hnumlp ]Ww thtണട kmAgrave

AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml

ImgvNbnsAtildeparatAtildebpAringq aiexclsf sIlaquonumlp `mcy

Aണടn B^oknAcirc tPmenbviexclv IjvSnumlv AjvSn

IgnumlpIqlaquopparap

Asects Hmtcm NnacuteIAuml tUmIvSAgrave

cmPtKm]mensacirc hmiexclpIAuml XparanAcirc ]Ifrac14w

sImAringnumlp aaumlp ]e tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS

Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc

lrZbmephmiexcln RsectfpsS tlmantbm

tImtfPnsacirc amAgravecurrenZAgraveinbmb tUmIvSAgrave chn

Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv

atmtcmKnIsf kmacutez NnInOtilde AcircIn

hcppara ]knsup2mb tUmIvSAgrave atmPv

XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv

tPmbnacirc v UbdIvSdmb tUmIvSAgrave chomicrosup3

Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn

tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI

BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw

IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw

sNbvXp FSpmacrp]dbmsup3 tXmparanbXv tUmIvSAgrave

NmicrobpsS dpaWsmacrcedilaumlnbmWv IpetiJcw

Fpara IpaumlniexclmSp ]tZimacrv s]mlaquonuml Nmicrosmacr

]Tn v XangvmSv saUniexclAcirc

bqWnthgvknaumlnbpsS Cu hAgravejsmacr tKmAumlUv

saUenIgravembn B Iplaquon hfAgraveparav GhAgraveiexclpw

XWAcirc sNmcnbppara hShrpoundamIslaquo Fparav

]mAgravedegnumlpsImണട v ]menbw IpetiJcw

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

36

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

]iwkm ]XnIbpw Hcp saatacircmbpw

AcircIpIbpണടmbn XpSAgraveparav ]KUcircmiddotmcmb

tUmIvSAgraveamcpsS centmEcircpIfpw Dണടmbncpparap

s]bnsup3 amp ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave amEcircnI

tcmKnIsfbpw ]mentbaumlohv sIbAgrave bqWnaumlnAcirc

Atilde coXnbnAcirc amtPv sNiquestpparaXnscedilaumlnbpw

Iymsup3kdnscedilaumlnbpambncpparap NAgraveuml

]nb kplrtmacr IqSpXAcirc FgpXn Xmbrvbarsf

t_mdSncedilnumlncniexclmw Cu kmbbrvbarmemacrv (hbEcircv

70) Nmcp IkmebnAcirc kplrmacrpiexclfpambncpparav

kAtildem]macrnpAring atmnebnAtildemsX

mfsbcedilaumlnbpAring hymIpeNnmacrmbn

ZnhksectAuml Ignumlp Iqlaquopparap kplrtmacr

RsectAuml FcopynobAgraveamAgrave bacute kamamb

aEcircpIfpsS DSaIAuml frac12psS sajnsup3

HmSWsabrvbarnAcirc ]etcedilmgpw FregbnSWw

icnXspara ]hAgravemacrw kpKaamiexclmsup3 thണടXv

AXmWv ]dbq FparamAcirc tUmIvSAgraveamAgrave

FacutembncnmacrocWw PohnXw ASntumlAcirccedilnuml

ZpcnXsectfpw Zpcacutesectfpw Iണട v AhcpsS

aEcircv FacutembnmacrocWw Cu henb

]]copytmacrmfw aEcircpAring Hcp henb

temImacrnse sNdnb apjycmbn XocWw

AhAgrave AhcpsS Izmfnaumln Hm^v ssaacirc v Hcp

Afrac12 aEcircmbn XotcണടXtAtilde

DSabmbnmacrotcണടXtAtilde AXmWv ChnsSbpw

ImWmsup3 IgnbpI tUmIvSAgrave FwBAgrave

cmPtKm]mAcirc ]uml aregnsup3

apjyXyapAringsbmcmfmWv Atplusmnlw

lrZbmacrnAcirc nparapw _psup2nbneqsS

ssIIfntebviexclv ]]copy middotIAuml HgpIn

hcpparap Hmtcm nanjhpw AXv apiexclv

Ap`hniexclmsup3 Ignbpparap

kplrtmacr Cparav PohnXw FparaXv

AXnPohnXamWv Fbrvbarnepw kvtlmacrnsacirc Hcp

XtemSAcirc Hcp hmiexclv Bcpw ]Xopoundnumlp

t]mIpw GImbn AZzbmbn Amabmbn

PohnXw ofpparap kmbmOacute kAcirciexclmcmacrnv

Fparaphcmw frac14qcoisacirc shSnshlaquomacrnAcirc Fparav

CtcedilmAuml ]dbphmsup3 km[niexclpparanAtilde poundaniexclpI

]menbtmacrmsSmcedilw aaumlp AAtilded NnAtilded ]Siexclw

s]mlaquoniexclepIfpw Smacrpparap XmaknbmsX

ImWmw kplrtmacr ImWmw

Fparav

kkvtlw PnsI

Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair

37

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

A POEM BY THARA NAIR 12 YEARS OLD

Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall gracefully floating down to the muddy ground

The once vibrant green leaves are slowly becoming a grubby brown

The trees look bare and unhealthy without the leaves Gardens lose their luscious colours and

residents try to neaten up by raking all the stray leaves away

Once noisy parks have been left looking abandoned

Children used to coming home in daylight are suddenly trapped in darkness on their journeys from

school

Smiles are gradually fading from peoples faces

Families curl up on sofa under blankets sipping delicious hot chocolate

Halloween is creeping around the corner shops are filled with scary costumes and adults prepare for

the shouts of lsquotrick or treatrsquo

Farmers get down to business harvesting the crops in a season once known as harvest

The temperature drops and the sun disappears to be seen in a few months

Birds fly away retreating to a warmer safer place to rest

ldquo

Thara is a pupil at Tiffin Girls School and She is an avid and reader and her favourite author is JK Rowling She likes to write poetry and believes that it is the best way to express oneself She would like to have a job where she can help people

38

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

TURKEYP R A N A V M E N O N 7 Y E A R S O L D

Once upon a time there lived a turkey His name was

Trent Trent was the nicest turkey you could find In

fact everyone liked him except hunters Anyways this

is about how Trent needs to avoid all the hunters

because itrsquos November and you know what that

means It means thanksgiving and thanksgiving means

turkey

One day Trent was pecking seeds when Squaly the

squirrel came along

ldquoHi Trentrdquo she squeaked nice day isnrsquot itrdquo

ldquoVery nice indeedrdquo Trent gobbled ldquoAre you looking for

the last of the nuts and seedsrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo replied Squaly ldquoall of them are with Chip (the

chipmunk) and Moussy (the mouse) I came here for

morerdquo

Suddenly they heard a gunfire Squaly scurried up a

tree Trent was running as fast as he could but was

trapped The hunter was aiming for him Luckily Trent

jumped up and ran deep into the forest where he

bumped into Chip who was looking for nuts

ldquoHey- Chiprdquo Trent panted ldquoI-was-just-running-away-

from-a-hunterrdquo

ldquoOh Chip squeaked ldquoI thought you were trying to find

someonersquo

ldquoIrsquom not trying to find someone Trent yelled ldquoIrsquom trying

to run away from someone They found merdquo

ldquoOkay I was just askingrdquo Chip said and with that he

was on his way again Just then Barrey the black bear

came along looking for fish and berries

ldquoHi there Trentrdquo said Barrey ldquonice dayrdquo

ldquoNice dayrdquo Trent asked ldquoI almost got killed by a

hunter todayrdquo

ldquoOh Irsquom sorry I didnrsquot know you were in a cranky

moodrdquo Barrey said and he went back to his house

had a nice dinner took a bath and went to sleep

The next morning was Thursday (exactly one week

from the thanksgiving Thursday) After a good nightrsquos

sleep Trent had calmed down and went for a stroll in

the woods After some time Trent was turning around

to go home when he was surrounded by three hunters

from all sides

The next few days were peaceful for Trent but he was

sure the hunters would come and haunt him again It

was Thanksgiving Day and Trent was growing a little

glad because hunters wouldnrsquot hunt him anymore at

least thatrsquos what he thought

trent the

Pranav lives in Virginia USA and has a number of hobbies including playing basketball and baseball and learning to play thekeyboard

Illustration by Geetha Menon

39

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

Fortunately he was a good dodger All the hunters

shot at Trent at the same time and once again he

jumped up and bullets caused a big explosion The

hunters couldnrsquot see him because of the smoke and

Trent ran as fast as he could home

The turkey was eating his normal breakfast seed while

the radio was playing the news Today will be 45

degrees high and 23 degrees low the meteorologist

announced Trent finished his breakfast and went to

get the newspaper but just stood at the door Do you

know why Well at the mailbox was a hunter

Unfortunately Trentrsquos door was clear and the hunter

saw him and came in shooting like he was mad Trent

screamed ldquoHunter Hunter HEEEEELPrdquo All the

animals heard and came immediately bear goat

sheep cow and the geese family The bear growled

which backed the hunter towards the door and kept at

it Goat showed his horns and the geese kept

squawking With all the commotion the hunter ran

away

ldquoThank-you-everybodyrdquo Trent said in a relieved voice

ldquoYoursquore welcomerdquo they all replied together Just then

Pricky the porcupine came bursting in ldquoSorry Irsquom laterdquo

he said ldquoIt sure is a long way from my burrow to get

here (it is just across the street he is very slow thatrsquos

all) They all laughed

The moment I look at ones handsIt strikes me with this

I feel that those hands are capable

Capable of creating beautiful thingsCapable of destroying them

Capable of helpingCapable of wrecking

Capable of creating freshnessCapable of creating gloominess

Hands are capable I stand by thatBut capable of what

CAPABILITYacknowledgement to

N A N D I T A V 1 3 Y E A R S O L D

Nandita lives in Bangalore and attends CMR National Public School She is a keen reader and poet and writes regularly on her poetry blog starringwordsblogspotin

40

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

OBLIVIOUS

Her eyes like pools of swirling chocolate

Her lips a deep dark purple

Her hair braided across her scalp

Her tiny feet pacing the ground

However the look in her eyes is dead

She is living a life of poverty

The sights she sees everyday must kill her

And yet she faces these cruelties every day

Her lips are parched and cracked

She needs comfort and wails longingly through the night

Desperately in need of water

These cruelties she faces every day

Her hair is braided but flies encircle her crown

Gathering around her fragile body

Seeking a place to sit down

These cruelties she faces every day

Her baby feet battered against the coarse dry ground

Glass shards broken bottles rocky grounds

She needs some loving help and support

These cruelties she faces every day

We can all help you know

However little or large

Our laziness and ignorance is shocking

If we help her

These cruelties she need not face every day

ldquoN I L A P I L L A I 1 5 Y E A R S O L D

Nila attends Robert Mayrsquos School Hampshire

41

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

RICHESA S H O R T S T O R Y B Y R O H A N N A I R 1 4 Y E A R S O L D

This story is not based on the truth It was written with

the intention to stop people and make them think to

make a change

University had finished and for me it was time to

travel and as some say ldquofind myselfrdquo My first plan was

to travel to Kerala a state in South India Often

described as Godrsquos Own Country I was eager to

explore its highs and lows I once read that for every

hurdle life throws at you a smooth sail will follow

However when I set foot in a town called Trivandrum

I was shocked at what I saw It is common knowledge

that poverty in India is an obvious reality and we all

know this intellectually but the emotional reality is

somewhat different I travelled to India essentially for a

holiday but instead I was witness to the extreme

degradation of man I stayed in a youth hostel that

overlooked the beach where I saw the richest and the

poorest Overwhelmed with what I was witnessing it

was obvious to me that a change had to happen and

although I felt like a small fish in a big pond I was

driven to try

By just walking the streets of Kerala I was startled at

the amount of people trying to scrape a living in one

way or another It wasnrsquot like in England where one

would witness businessmen and women striding

through the streets People were living wherever they

could on pavements and even in the middle of traffic

circles dressed in ripped clothes and with bare feet

My respect for the poor grew They managed to keep

going despite the obvious pain they were in My heart

went out to them One day during my trip as I was

relaxing on the beach I encountered a little girl

begging

This girl was beautiful Her black silky hair fell in front

of her eyes and her mental strength shone through

her physical weakness As I was engrossed in her

movement round the beach I caught her eye which

she took as an invitation walk over to me As she did

so it was obvious she was malnourished She was

thin and wiry wearing a baggy t-shirt She was merely

a few steps away but she was struggling to drag her

weight across to me Her face was sad her eyes were

empty She was a child who never saw happiness and

had a huge void in her soul Her energy was slowly

ebbing away but she had to get to me because she

had to seize any opportunity she had to get money

I greeted her with a welcoming smile She then

reciprocated I wanted to know her story

ldquoHow are you hererdquo I asked her in Malayalam

She looked away without answering the question I

had clearly thrown her off by touching a nerve Maybe

it was because people never took the time to

Rohan is a pupil at Tiffin Boys School and has a black belt in Tae-kwon-do In his spare time he enjoys writing stories and hopes to become an author in the future His favourite writer is Graeme Macrae Burnett

rags to

Illustration by Sangeetha Venugopal

42

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

ask her anything about herself She mumbled

something her lack of confidence touched me I

repeated the question to which she responded ldquoIrsquove

had to do this all my liferdquo

ldquoWhyrdquo I pressed for more like a nosey journalist

getting the inside scoop

ldquoWhen I was a baby I was raised in the slums My

father was a heavy drinker and my mother was a

servant to a local dentist who paid her money to

provide food for me and unknowingly fund my fatherrsquos

drinking habits But no amount of money could satisfy

his alcoholic dependency nor provide the sort of help

that we needed to live In the end my father suffered a

tragic ordealhelliphehelliprdquo

She found it difficult to finish this sentence her

emotions ended up getting the better of her and she

began sobbing with her heads in her arms I was

reluctant to ask but I was eager to find out her story

As I asked what happened she looked at me with a

look of despair She drew a deep breath almost

though she needed all the energy she could muster to

continue talking

In the end my father died of alcohol poisoning which

lead to my motherrsquos mental instability One day I woke

up and she was gone She had left me in a hut where

we were living Often people would try to take me

away but I learnt to be strong Since then if I want

food in my belly I would do thisrdquo

This I asked

Begging I have been begging every day for the last 7

years ever since I was 4 years old

I then began to feel remorse Remorse for prodding

and reminding her of 11 torturous years I then

reached inside my pocket and gave her 5 rupees The

elation on her face was startling That was the emotion

of someone winning the lottery As I began to say

goodbye to her and walk away back to my room there

was still something I had forgotten to ask

Irsquom sorry but whats your name I asked

Pallavi she responded with a forced smile

I smiled back and walked away back to my hostel

Throughout that evening and night I just couldnrsquot seem

to get Pallavi out of my head Her story was heart-

breaking I then started to compare my childhood to

hers and I remembered going to the park with my

friends going on the swings and having fun then

going back home to a cooked meal from my mum At

that moment I started to feel grateful and appreciate

my childhood Distracting myself from Pallavis pain I

drifted into a deep sleep dreaming of how I grew up

The next day I decided I wanted to make a change in

Pallavirsquos life After researching possible places for

Pallavi to stay I embarked on a journey to a local

school for girls that was run by nuns To my shock the

nuns were not very welcoming They were seemingly

afraid when I walked into their school which was

understandable considering the fact that a 19 year old

man was walking into a place like this After getting

the schoolrsquos head nun Sister Mary to sit down I told

her everything about Pallavi evoking a sadness in her

face She told me to bring the girl so that she could

meet her and think about bringing her to the school I

walked out of the office an extremely content man I

couldnrsquot wait to see the reaction on Pallavirsquos face when

I told her the news

As I ran towards the beach I felt the sweat dripping

down my forehead I needed to see Pallavi However

as I set foot on the sandy ground something didnrsquot

feel right

ldquoAs I told her what I had done

her face spoke a thousand

wordshelliprdquo

43

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

The smile soon faded from my face as I couldnrsquot seem

to locate Pallavi anywhere I felt nervous agitated and

petrified all at the same time I searched the whole

beach asking people whether they had seen Pallavi

providing the best description I could from memory of

her appearance the previous day At long last

someone recognised my description and said that the

girl had left with a man about 20 minutes ago heading

towards the bus garage Immediately fear set in I had

remembered watching a documentary about young

girls being abducted for corruption I felt horrified and I

ran to the bus stop To my absolute relief I saw them

still waiting for the bus the manrsquos arm around Pallavi I

alerted the police and watched with glee as the man

was arrested and escorted into the police car Pallavi

gave me a huge hug and thanked me the gratitude on

her face was heart-warming I was relieved and

couldnrsquot wait to tell her the bit of news that have

brought me over in the first place

As I told her what I had done her face spoke a

thousand words She seemed utterly shocked and

pleased at the same time For 7 years she had been

begging for money and not once did someone taken

an interest in her background

I donrsquot know how I could ever repay you she said

with great appreciation

I told her not to worry about that and that it was a

favour from me

I then held her hand and took her to the convent

school

Sister Mary looked at the girl up and down in sadness

She didnrsquot understand how someone so beautiful could

be so dishevelled Her gentle old eyes connected with

Pallavirsquos and gently caressing her face she whispered

words that sounded like music to my ears

ldquoPallavi you beautiful soul There is a place for you

here There is a start for you hererdquo Pallavi cracked a

smile and a tear trickled down her face She looked to

me in anticipation

ldquoI cannot thank you enough You have ended my

suffering and I am forever in your debtrdquo she said

weakly

ldquoPallavi you must not worry about every repaying me

I had a privileged childhood I got to play study and

was able to achieve what I wanted Seeing you ask for

money was heart breaking I am just glad I helped you

end that liferdquo

With a teary eye Pallavi gave me a hug For possibly

the first time in her life I saw a genuine smile on her

face a beautiful smile and with that she walked away

into the school

I waved goodbye and headed back to the hostel as the

next day I was due back in London On the journey

back I had a big smile on my face I thought of the

sheer elation on the face of the girl and my part in

helping Pallavi conquer poverty I also thought about

my family how fortunate I am and how grateful I

should be to God for giving me this life Feeling proud

I realised I had set out to make a change and I

succeeded Although it was just one personrsquos life I had

changed but it was one less girl begging in the streets

of Trivandrum

Illustration by

Sangeetha Venugopal

44

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

Now Pallavi gets an education like I did and a chance

at life Every young person deserves that

As I returned home I was eager to tell my parents

what happened They were immensely proud and

congratulated me on my success I decided to take a

gap year and travel back to South India in the hope of

building a girlsrsquo school for the poor with the help of my

parents I wanted to make a difference to more than

one personrsquos life The trip to India was a memorable

one and a massive learning curve one that I will never

forget

KaleidoscopeA P O E M B Y A N A N Y A U N N I K R I S H N A N

Ananya Unnikrishnan is a Year 6 student at Elangeni School Buckinghamshire She has a keen interest in arts and literature A student of classical dance and music Ananya loves nature and travelling

Nature says a story

Sometimes pretty and other times dreary

Buds bloom to flowers

Butterflies flutter

Nature has the power

She signals growth and hope

While rain and heavy shower

Points to someone struggling to cope

Sky and sea are brothers

Theyrsquore committed to each help each other

Mother Earth ndash her children she nourishes

Father Sun thank Him for the warmth he furnishes

Scavengers arenrsquot evil

Theyrsquore a good sign

Donrsquot lament end get cynical or succumb to the devil

Bury the past move on

That is the pattern ndash lifersquos design

The cat the feline

Loves a good life sparkling wine

Buzzing bees

Work hard up the trees

One so cuddly and so cute

The other stingy with force so brute

The cat she stays pretty and neat

While bees gift you honey so sweet

Nature inspires life differently

Choose well

Who do you want to be

45

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

SOUTH AFRICAtom and mayank in

A S T O R Y B Y S I D D I E P I L L A I

Siddie is 6 years old and in Year 2 at Goldsworth Primary School Surrey

46

Once Tom and Mayank were going on their first ever plane trip to

South Africa When they reached Kruger National Park they saw lots

of giraffes and kangaroos When night fell a big thunderstorm

happened and Mayank and Tomrsquos tent blew right over

In a quick flash Mayankrsquos brain said that they could build a sand

castle After all there was a lot of sand Huffing and puffing out of

breath Mayank and Tom built a sand castle Surprisingly it was very

cozy and Mayank and Tom could sleep very well So they slept in the

sand castle peacefully until late next morning

In the morning Mayank and Tom were really really hungry and then

in a sudden flash of light a fish bought them very tasty food which

turned out to be marshmallows Soon it was time to go and the fish

wanted to go with them back to England So they put him in a very

cold pot of water and took him along with them back to England

Mayank and Tom were happy they had reached England safely from

their adventurous trip to South Africa

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

kala walk 2015

kala cricket and onam2015

Photos by Manoj Rajendran

47

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw

48

Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot

change their minds cannot change anything

By George Bernard Shaw