the magazine of the kerala arts & literary association...
TRANSCRIPT
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
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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
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27
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28
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DOumlzeamb ]Xn`mhnemkmacrnsacircbpw
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ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav
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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
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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
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Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects
Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v
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HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem
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Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml
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Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml
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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
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tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3
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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
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_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
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Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv
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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
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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
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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
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hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw
Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw
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ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn
AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3
Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp
Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow
Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav
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]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
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almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw
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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
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Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp
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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
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by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair
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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
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]ISsectAuml mfsmacr frac12psS IebpsS
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IqWpIAuml s]mlaquon apfbviexclppara t]mse
s]cpIppara rmacrhnZymebsectfnAcirc
A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw
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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
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Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects
Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v
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HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem
]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml
Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb
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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
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AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml
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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
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23
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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
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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
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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
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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
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36
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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
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Congratulations She is Pregnant
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23
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Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body
does not require brandy for that
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Congratulations She is Pregnant
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23
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Hcp Imacrv Delivery is a natural process Our body
does not require brandy for that
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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23
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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
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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
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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
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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
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36
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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
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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
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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
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hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw
Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw
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ktacutemjhAgravemacramw ASpmacr ^vfmaumlnAcirc t]mbn
AdnbnumltcedilmAuml AhnSsmacr Fsacirc kvtlnXsup3
Pbcmasacirc ANtildesup3 ]dordfp
Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow
Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav
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]spound AXv km[niexclphmsup3 ]nsparabpw
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]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
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(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp
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s]notIplaquonbmsWbrvbarnAcirc _Agrave^nbpw
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almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw
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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
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hnXpfrac14o B aIsup3 Csparaniexclv DuparaphSn
Bbncptparas `oaam]arXyp
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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
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sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn
mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS
by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair
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26
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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
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27
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28
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nparambncpparanAtilde
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Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar
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tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B
alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw
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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
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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
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Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects
Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v
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HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem
]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml
Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb
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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
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AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml
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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
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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
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sAtildepw hnaumlp Inlaquonb ImipsImണട v Afrac12
Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap
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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
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Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap
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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
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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
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ktfrac12famb frac12psS tijvT IeIAuml Cparav
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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
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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
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Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects
Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v
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HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem
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Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml
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Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml
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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
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tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3
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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
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_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
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Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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hcpambncpparap AXpw nparap ]iphns
CtcedilmAuml tabenv sImSpiexclemWv
Ahstcedilmgpw s]regnv AS CcncedilmWv
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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
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XebnAcirc IbdpparanAtilde Facutep sNiquestmsup3
Facutem ap AregtmSv ]dordfsXpara Fsacirc
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apth o nsacirc sIlaquonbhsf tabenv
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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
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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
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Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc
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NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64
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Xmണടn
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27
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28
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B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn
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ssieo]camb ApIcWmacrnAcirc
nparambncpparanAtilde
Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc
]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw
Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar
Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS
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Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap
FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe
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Fparav BZyw kzacutew aEcircmpoundntbmSv
tNmZnumldnordf tijw amXamIWw B
alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw
tijvTamb `mcX IeItfmSv sNiquestppara Gaumlhpw
henb IqcXbmIpw AXv ChnsS CwyenണടnAcirc
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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
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23
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects
Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v
kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv
HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem
]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml
Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb
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Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc
HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn
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Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml
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kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml
Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml
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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
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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
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tNmZyw
Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf
tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo
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AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce
aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn
]ntaumlparav inbmgvN sshIptparacw tUmIvSAgrave
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Congratulations She is Pregnant
mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw
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IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq
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]ntaumlparav RmbdmgvN Gaumlhpw ASpmacr Ipdumlp
kvtlnXmiddotmcpambn Hcp sNdnb BtLmjw
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Ggmw amkw `mcysb ]khniexclmsup3 mlaquonAcirc
sImണടpt]mbmiexcln
]khnumlp InSiexclptfrac14mAuml Znhtk IptdsEgrave
Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap
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23
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DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne
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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
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Afrac12bviexclpw kpJw
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Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav
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]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw
]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo
Hparap kwkmcniexclphmsup3 IqSn ]aumlnbnAtilde
Asparamparapw Cparasmacrtcedilmse t^mWpw
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Pnuml hAgravemacramw Xspara sSenKmw hgnbmWv
AdnordfXv
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(HcpXcw a[pc]elmcw) hnXcWw sNbvXp
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almcmjvSbnepw aaumlp ]e kwOslashmsectfnepw
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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
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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
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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
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mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS
by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair
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26
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niexclp amXw
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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
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27
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nparambncpparanAtilde
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Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar
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alXvImcyw GsaumlSpiexclphmsup3 AAtildemmacr]poundw
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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
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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
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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
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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
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tImWmacrpholaquonse ap Aregpw Fmacrpw
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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
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XmaknumlmWv RmnXdnbpparaXv
ap Aregsup3 hcpparaXv CAtildemXmbn ImcWw
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Xiquestmdmbncpparap NneAgrave aqfn thorn mbcv IdpmacrmAcirc
Csectnsbpw Idpiexclptam Fparav Facutenv
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tItlaquom AXpsImണടmbncniexclpw
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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
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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
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Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc
Pohnumlncppara apjycpsS s]mXphmb
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NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64
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Xmണടn
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27
െടൽെടകനനതതിയ
28
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AXnsacirc _usup2nI XemacrnAcirc
BszligkmpoundmXvImc D]m[nIfpw IqSnbmWv
FAtildem t`Z_psup2nIsfbpw Hcp ]cn[n
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Ie BszligmhnjvImchpw BmicroZmbIhpamWv
inhsacirc XmWvUh rmacrmacrnv A]cntabamb
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GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw
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B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn
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hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu
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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
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Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap
FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe
AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc
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IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm
Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS
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nAgraveplusmnnjvS IemImctm IemImcntbm
GsaumlSpiexclpparaXv B ZuXymacrntmSv
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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
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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
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tNmZyw
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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
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Brandy IpSniexclpparaXv AtildeXmsWparap
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23
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DAring Imeambncpparap hfsc ]bmkscedillaquov Nne
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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
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Ahnlaquow poundXamWv hfsc Atilde mAuml Ahnlaquow
Xhnlaquonepw tSpw Fsacirc ktacutemjmacrnparav
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]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
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(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
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AwKoImc _lpaXn AcircInbnlaquoണടpv
asup2yhbkvIbmb Hcp kvXobviexclv sImSpmacr
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Fnsiexclmcp hm v (Wristwatch) hmsectn Xparap
AXpw sIlaquon BZyambn sNcncedilpanlaquov tImtfPv
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Kmaw amdptam
frac12psS IYmmbIsup3 tkmcedilv kZminhsup3
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by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair
ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo
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IpsdmAuml Immacrncppara IടിordfqAcirc sIlaquosAtilde
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]qPbpw cpoundsIlaquoepw aacutehmZhpw FAtildemw
Sparap Hcp IpordfniexclmAcirc ImWmsup3 km[numlp
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]nAringtbmSv ]dordfmAcirc AhAuml
kfrac12XnbviexclmXncniexclnAtilde Fparaphsc ]dordfp
FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw
sNiquestmsaparav BWbnlaquopw Hcp ]Xn^ehpw
thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc
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Gev]nbviexclpw nparamsW kXyw ]khw
IgnordfmAcirc XAringbpw ]nAringbpw niexclp Xspara
niexclp amXw
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tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns
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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
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27
െടൽെടകനനതതിയ
28
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rmacrmacrnsacirc Cu Husup2Xy
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XmWvUhmacrnsacirc ]mWsup3 XmWvUh emky
kfrac12niasX AAgravesup2mcoizc Sw Cu
`mhmacrnv thZsectsfiexclmAuml ]giexclapണട v
GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw
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nparambncpparanAtilde
Chbviexclp ]pdta AycmjvSsectfnteiexclv hfsc
]ണടpXspara frac12psS IeIAuml kcopymcw
Bcw`numlnlaquopണടmbncpparap Ram Gopal Uday Sankar
Fparao IemImcmiddotmcpsS t]cpIAuml ChnsS
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Xspara e`niexclpIbmbncpparap
FparamAcirc Cu 21thornmw qaumlmണടnAcirc `mcXIe
AXnsacirc FAtildem ]`mhtmacrmSpw `mcXmacrnAcirc
hnfsectptfrac14mAuml hntZisectfnAcirc frac12psS
IeIAumliexclv Ftacutem Hcp asectAcirc kw`hntumlm
Fparav kwibntiexclണടnbncniexclpparap frac12psS
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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
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Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects
Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v
kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv
HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem
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Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb
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Hcp hmfacircnbAgrave BIbmAcirc ImcyOslashsup3 alaquonAcirc
HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn
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Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml
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kabsmacr hmiexclpIAuml aEcircnAcirc Nne NmepIAuml
Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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tNmZyw
Rmsup3 Ipfn sXaumlolaquov ]macrpZnhkambn msf
tUmIvSsd ImWmsup3 t]mIpparapണടvrdquo
Afrac12mbn Kpcphmbqccedilsup3 klmbnumlv FAtildemw
AtildeXphcslaquo iAgraveplusmnotണടm mcImacrnsacirc Ce
aWcedilnumlmAcirc aXn
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Congratulations She is Pregnant
mlaquonAcirc shumlv IeymWw Ignumltijw
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IpSpw_amcw`n v cണടpamksa BbpAringq
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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
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hparap `mcy ]khnumlp BnotIplaquon Iplaquoniexclpw
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]qbnepw tlabpw Ipordfptampw
]meiexclmSnAcirc CSmacrdbnepw ImWmsup3 t]mslaquo
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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
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apcedilmacrnsblaquop hAgravejsectAumliexclptijw
Ignordfpt]mbsXAtildemw shdpw HmAgraveമമIfpw
sSphoAgravecedilpIfpambn Asectns Ignbpparap
kwKoX ]mweo^nsacirc ]Xm[n]cmbn NpaXe
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FparaAtildem Iem]cambn Hparapw
FgpXnbnlaquonsAtildebrvbarnepw Fsacutebrvbarnepw Hparav
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FgpXmsup3 Ignbsണട hmiexclpIAuml hctണട
Nne ]gb IhnXmiIesectAuml aEcircnAcirc s]macuten
hcpparap almIhn hAringtmacrmAuml ]dordfp
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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
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Fparap IcpXn Cparapw ]macirc v [cnumlv Cu IqlaquocpsS
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Imehpw tImehpw amdnbmepw ClaquoIthen
Kmaw amdptam
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Fsacirc cണടp sImAtildew apparanse centmEcircnembncpparap
kvIqfntebviexclpAring aqparav ssaAcirc Zqcw
kZminhtmsSmcedilw Agravefrac12w tIlaquov Siexclmsup3
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apparanAcirc ]nparaWn KmbImbncppara IapId
]pcptjmmacrasup3 kmAgrave slUvamIgraveAgrave Bbncppara
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Iemcq]sectAuml DSseSpmacr ImeLlaquomacrnAcirc
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Ap`hsectsf aEcircnemiexclnbmAcirc aXn IebpsS
NcnXsaSpmacrmAcirc `mcXob ZAgraveiapkcnumlv 64
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lrZbmacrnsacirc `mjbnAcirc Isണടmacrpparap AXv
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tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX
nesImAringpparap apjytbpw
apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara
]]copymacrnsacirc s]mcpfpw s]cpabpw
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Xmണടn
Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX
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kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc
tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp
IeIsfpara t]cnAcirc nesImAringpparaXv
HcAgravedegmacrnAcirc Cu IeIfpsS hsup3tiJcw
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DbAgravemacrncedilnSniexclphmsup3 klmbnumlnlaquopണടv
CXnlmksectfpsSbpw ]ucmWnI
kwkvIrXnbptSbpw kmlnXykfrac14macrpIAuml
IemlrZbsectfnAcirc Fmacrniexclphmpw kmaqlnI
]cnjviexclcWw Item]mkbneqsS
27
െടൽെടകനനതതിയ
28
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]cnhAgravemacrmacrnpAring sAtildemcp am[yaw
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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
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AXmsWparamWv ]WvUnXaXw
rmacrmhkmmacrnAcirc ScmPsup3 AtKmNcamb
BszligXmacrzsmacr ]Tncedilniexclmsup3 Xsacirc
rmacrmacrnsmSphnAcirc 14 ]mhiyw DSpiexclv sImlaquon
B mZamWv atlizc kqXambn
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CmacrcmacrnAcirc HuparaXyw DAring frac12psS IeIAuml
Hmtcm bpKmacrnepw ]cnWmasectAumliexclp
hnt[bambn ApkyqXw hfcpparap Cu
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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
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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
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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
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Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair
36
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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
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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
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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
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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
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by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair
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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
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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
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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
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Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects
Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v
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HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem
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Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml
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Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml
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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
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tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3
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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
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_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
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Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv
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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
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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
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23
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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
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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
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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
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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
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36
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair
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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
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A`ykncedilniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw A`ykniexclpparahAgraveiexclpw
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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
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Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects
Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v
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HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem
]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml
Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb
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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
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AhcpsS tIgAcirc CtcedilmAuml
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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
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hmbntmiexclnIfmb NneAgrave aaumlp NneAgraveiexclpw CcedilSn
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nemhnAtildemmacr cmXnbnAcirc Nqlaquopw Imacrnumlv
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sNdnsbmcp apdnhv ]aumln NnInOtildebviexclmbn
mlaquonse GI ]Xnumln Fmacrn Imlaquop ]qsumlSnbpsS
by illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair
ഹവിൽദാരzwj ldquoഡ ാപപrdquo
26
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niexclp amXw
kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw
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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
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27
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28
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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
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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
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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
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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
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FparamAcirc Ignbppara FAtildem klmbhpw
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thsണടparapw Ddcedilmiexcln tIAumliexclsണട Ahsacirc
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kZminhsup3 CparanAtilde HmAgravefrac12IfnAcirc amXw
tabAcirclsquoKAgrave`nWnbmb ]iphns
tabepImcsup3 XncnsI DSaOslashs Gev]niexclpparap
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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
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Fsacuteparav aEcircnemiexclWsabrvbarnAcirc nAgraveplusmnnjvS
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PmXnaXt`Ztam hAgravereghyXnbmtam `mjm
tZi AXnAgravehcfrac14pItfm CAtildemsX
nesImAringpparap apjytbpw
apjyXztmacrbpw DAumlsiexclmAringppara
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Xncnumldnordfv Ie aptparadpIbmWv bpKsectAuml
Xmണടn
Aaqeyamsbmcp ss]XrImacrnsacirc ]cfrac14cmKX
kfrac14macrmWv IeIfneqsS Imew apiexclv
AcircInbXv Hcp ]tZimacrnsacirc kmaqlnIhpw
kmwkviexclmcnIhpamb PohnXmacrnsacirc
tNtcedilSpIfmWv B tZimacrnsacirc XXp
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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GXp]pcpjnepw Hcp kvXobpw
GXpkvXobnepw Hcp ]pcpjpw Dsണടpara
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Illustration by Sethulekshmy Nair
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36
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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
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Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects
Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v
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HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem
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Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb
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HmSn SiexclpIbmbncpparap AacutetEcircmsS apsup3hcn
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Asectpansectpnparapw tIlaquo Nne hmiexclpIAuml
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Iodpparap B NmepIfnAcirc nparav NnetcedilmAuml
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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
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tIlaquoXv Hcp aWniexclqAgrave IqSn Pohsup3 olaquoniexclnlaquomsup3
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]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
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Biwkm]kwKsectAuml IqSpXAcirc
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Fw mbAgrave tImgntiexclmSv tImicrooIcnumlv
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XangvmSv kAgraveiexclmcnse BtcmKyhIpcedilv
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Iymsup3kAgrave tcmK KthjImb tlmantbmcedilXn
tUmIvSAgrave iocmPv FAtildemhcpw kaImenI
BtcmKy ]ivsectAuml FSpmacrp ]dordfv ]menbw
IpetiJcmacrnv Biwk AAgravecedilniexclpIbpw
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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
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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
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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
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Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects
Nnehgniexclpparap FparatAtilde tNmZnumlXv apfrac14v
kmacutez NnInOtildesbcedilaumln kqNncedilnumlncpparaXv
HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem
]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml
Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb
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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
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Cu kmbw kOcircyIAuml XmbrvbarAuml Fsects
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HmAgraveiexclpatAtildem
]menbw IpetiJcmacrnsacirc cണടോം]ndparamAuml
Ciexclgnordf 03062015 XobXn hfsc eLphmb
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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