Tag: Books
Yad Bhavam, Tad Bhavanti
The cover-page of Aranya Kanda… a dream come true!
Everything begins as a thought. Then it turns into reality. May the Lord inspire us to the most elevated thoughts which would manifest as the most beautiful realities.
A big thank you to the publishers and my friends.
‘Yad Bhavam, Tad Bhavanti’
As you think, so it manifests…
**
തണുപ്പിക്കുന്ന സ്പർശങ്ങൾ
പൊള്ളുന്ന യാഥാർഥ്യങ്ങളാണ് ചുറ്റിലും. ഓടിയാൽ രക്ഷപ്പെടില്ല. ഒരത്താണിയും ദൃഷ്ടിയിൽ പെടുന്നില്ല. ദിവസങ്ങൾ, മാസങ്ങൾ, വർഷങ്ങൾ…കുട്ടികാലത്തെ ആ ജീവിതത്തോടുള്ള അഭിനിവേശമെവിടെ? ഭഗവാനേ, ജീവിതം എത്ര കാഠിന്യമേറിയ പരീക്ഷണമാണ്! വീണു കിട്ടുന്ന ചില നിമിഷങ്ങളാണ് മനസ്സിന് ശക്തി നൽകുന്നത്. അത്തരം നിമിഷങ്ങൾ വർദ്ധിപ്പിക്കാൻ മാർഗ്ഗമെന്താണ്?
‘അമ്മേ, ഇത് വായിച്ചു നോക്ക്. ഞാൻ സ്കൂളിൽ വച്ച് വായിച്ചു തീർത്തതാണ്. ഇപ്പോൾ ഇതിന്റെ മൂന്നാം ഭാഗമിറങ്ങി. ഞാൻ വായിച്ചു.’ മകളുടെ ഉപദേശം സ്വീകരിച്ചു. അപ്പോൾ, സ്കൂൾ കുട്ടിയുടെ ഒന്നാം ഭാഗത്തിലെ പുസ്തകം ഞാനും വായിച്ചു നോക്കി. വീണ്ടും കുട്ടിയാകുന്നത് പോലെ. നഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടെന്ന് കരുതിയ മാന്ത്രിക ലോകങ്ങൾ തിരിച്ചെത്തിയത് പോലെ! കോർണേലിയ ഫ്യൂങ്കെ എന്ന ജർമൻ എഴുത്തുകാരിയുടെ എഴുത്തും, വരയും, ഏതോ ലോകത്തിൽ എത്തിച്ചു. ഈ ലോകത്തിൽ ഞാൻ എന്റെ കുട്ടികാലം ചിലവാക്കിയതാണ്. വളർന്നപ്പോൾ സ്വയം നിഷിദ്ധമാക്കിയ ഭാവനയുടെ ലോകം.
വായിക്കുന്നത് വേറെ ലോകകങ്ങളെ കുറിച്ചായപ്പോൾ, മഴവില്ലിന്റെ മാന്ത്രികതയുള്ള ഈ നിഷ്കളങ്ക ലോകം എനിക്ക് പ്രാപ്യമല്ലാതായി. പൂട്ടിട്ടതും, താക്കോൽ വലിച്ചെറിഞ്ഞതും ഞാൻ തന്നെ ആയിരുന്നു.
‘വായിക്കാൻ ഈ അലമാരിയിൽ, ഇതാ ധാരാളം പുസ്തകങ്ങൾ. അമ്മ സ്ഥിരം വായിക്കുന്ന രീതികൾ വിടൂ…’ യൂണിവേഴ്സിറ്റിക്കാരിയാണ് പറയുന്നത്. ഗണിതത്തിന്റെ അഗാധ തലങ്ങൾ വായിച്ചു രസിക്കുന്നവളാണ്, ബാല്യ സാഹിത്യത്തിലെ ലോക ക്ലാസ്സി ക്കുകൾ ഇപ്പോഴും തേടിപ്പിടിച്ചു വായിക്കുന്നത്. കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങൾ നമ്മുടെ അധ്യാപകരെന്നതു സത്യം തന്നെ.
‘ ‘അമ്മ എന്തിനാണ് സ്വയം അതിരുകൾ സൃഷ്ടിക്കുന്നത്? ഈ പ്രായത്തിൽ ഇതേ വായിക്കാവൂ എന്ന് നിയമമുണ്ടോ? കോർണേലിയ ഫ്യൂങ്കിന്റെ ലോകം ആർക്കും വായിക്കാം..അമ്മയ്ക്കും. ഇങ്ക് ഹാർട്ട്, ഇങ്ക് സ്പെൽ, ഇങ്ക് ഡെത്ത് , ഡ്രാഗൺ റൈഡർ…അവരുടെ സ്കെച്ചസിലാണ് മാജിക്! എന്ജോയ്!’
അങ്ങനെ ഞാൻ താക്കോൽ തപ്പിയെടുത്തു : നിറങ്ങളുടെ, വരകളുടെ, സുഗന്ധങ്ങളുടെ…ആദ്യമായി നടക്കുന്ന കുട്ടിയെപ്പോലെ, തപ്പിത്തപ്പി ആ വാതിൽ തുറന്നു…സുമംഗലയുടെ ‘മിഠായി പ്പൊതി’ ആദ്യമായി കൈയിൽ കിട്ടിയത് ഓർമ്മ വന്നു.
ചിരികളും, കുറുമ്പുകളും തിരികെ കിട്ടിയത് പോലെ…നാമെത്ര ലോകങ്ങൾക്കു സ്വയം പിന്തിരിഞ്ഞു നമ്മെ തന്നെ മറക്കുന്നു…ജീവിക്കാനുള്ള തത്രപ്പാടിൽ ജീവിതം തന്നെ ഹോമിക്കുന്നു…
നീല നിറമുള്ള മുടി മാടി, സ്വന്തം ലോകങ്ങൾ തീർക്കുന്ന സുന്ദരിയോട് ഞാൻ പറഞ്ഞു …’ വല്ലതും നല്ലവണ്ണം കഴിക്കണം….ബൈ ദി വേ, ഞാൻ കോർണേലിയ ഫ്യൂങ്കെ വായിച്ചു തുടങ്ങി…’.
.
‘നന്നായി… വേറെ എന്റെ പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട ബുക്കുകൾ ധാരാളം… അമ്മയുടെ ഭാഷയിൽ സീരിയസ് ബുക്ക്സ്… ഓൾ ദി ലൈറ്റ് യു കാന്നോറ്റ് സീ, ബുക്ക് തീഫ് …ഞാൻ എന്റെ കളക്ഷൻ ഷെയർ ചെയ്യാം’.
രണ്ടു വയസ്സുകാരി, കൈയ്യിൽ ‘ആട്ടിൻ കാട്ടം’ എന്ന് ഞങ്ങൾ കളിയാക്കിയിരുന്ന കുറ്റി പെൻസിലും പിടിച്ചു പിച്ച വെച്ചു നടന്ന സമയം ഓർമ്മയിൽ ഓടിയെത്തി.
എന്റെ കുട്ടി ഇപ്പോൾ എനിക്കു വഴി കാണിക്കുന്നു…അതാണല്ലോ എന്റെ ജീവിത ധർമ്മവും, സാഫല്യവും.
Fine and Wondrous
Some books lead you to others: like some friends. And your circle of wonder grows! My friend suggested that I read ‘Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine’ by Gail Honeyman. I couldn’t thank her enough. I did not budge from my chair during the reading.
That made me search for R.J.Palacio’s ‘Wonder’. I had read about this magnificent book earlier but had not read it yet. Thanks to Kindle, I did.
From ‘Wonder’:
‘Shall we make a new rule of life…always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary?’ (J.M.Barrie , The Little white bird)
‘It was at moments such as these that Joseph recognized the face of God in human form. It glimmered in their kindness to him, it glowed in their keenness, it hinted in their caring, indeed it caressed in their gaze.’ ( Under the eye of the clock: Christopher Nolan)
***
Eleanor Oliphant is about abusive parenting and a survivor. Wonder is about wonderful parenting and a survivor. Both Eleanor and August are great human beings. The books are worth cherishing for they speak about the power of kindness.
And so, I am on a new book hunt… triggered by these books. May I be connected forever by that serendipitous magic!
Whither Goest Thou Lord?
Kishkindha Kanda getting ready…the first look!
“Quo Vadis, Domine?” Whither Goest Thou Lord?
Take me with you always…a speck of dust clinging at your beautiful feet. What majestic sights you show me all the while!
Josh Groban’s beautiful lyrics are the best to denote my feelings: (Thank you Kathu for making me listen to this!)
You Raise Me Up
“When I am down, and, oh, my soul, so weary
When troubles come, and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me
When troubles come, and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be…”
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be…”
***
Cats and Porcupines
‘Next time I will make you a porcupine,’ says my elder daughter. It is a warning in the guise of sibling love.
‘Nah! Persian cat with green eyes. The one which asked God whether He was seated in her chair!’ My younger girl replies. That is a rejoinder of untrammeled self confidence which is utterly undisguised.
The sequel of my daughter’s novel ‘Scientia’ is undergoing publication. It is called Eva, short for Evangelista. It is peppered with feisty women scientists, wise mentors, handsome men, and cats…
Little girl has trouble over the fact that the pesky cat does not get to star much in the book unlike the first one. Chechi has been ruthless with her pen; and has snipped off her nose-in-the air, prima donna scenes mercilessly.
‘You get to banter with the dog, be thankful for that, brat!’
‘Huh! I know, I know.’
I conclude that in the scenes where she does appear, she gets an upper-claw over a doggy. Poor dog.
‘I have a serious issue to bring to your notice. Whenever grandma calls, she asks about you first. That is major unfairness. We have been studying equity and equality recently in school.’ Persian cat purrs dangerously.
Chechi cackles in abandoned glee.
‘Well, well, certain facts in life have to be accepted. She loves me more.’
‘There is something called majority opinion.’
‘Since when has one been a majority?’
‘ I am adding my cousins here. You should not hog all the attention all the time.’ Persian cat bares her pretty teeth.
Chechi giggles openly. She knows that certain statements need no answers. They are the divine truth.
**
I advise my mother that certain family undercurrents need firm resolution. She should be neutral when it came to showing her love for the grand kids.
She chortles like my elder girl. They share the same eyes, delicate bone structure, and the indomitable will.
I am determined to not let that laugh sidetrack me.
‘Please call the little girl today. Ask about her this time!’
‘ Okay. I will have a chat with her soon. You know she is exactly like you. Remember when you were always cribbing over your brother getting all the attention? That child has your eyes and attitude by the way.’
Now I am in the mood to ask my elder girl to create a couple of more porcupine relatives in the next book….
**
The rain speaks a million tongues…
Another book is born…Gratitude to Prof.Veerankutty for allowing me to translate some of his wonderful poems.
http://www.deshabhimani.com/special/news-23-09-2018/752842
Translator’s Note
Another Book is getting ready:
The Heaviness of the Rain ( Anthology of selected poems- Translated from Malayalam)
Author: Prof. Veeran Kutty
Prof. Veeran Kutty’s poems have a wonderful simplicity and charm about them. They remind me of Haiku and Sufi literature equally. To capture majestic ideas in a few lines- soaked with beauty-is a rare skill. The poems make us better human beings- by teaching us compassion, tolerance, kindness and love.
Translating these poems has been an enjoyable experience for me. I had started off by translating a few of his published poems on my wordpress blog. Prof. Veeran Kutty read those and encouraged me warmly. That helped me to compile this collection.
I hope and pray that the readers feel the enchanting loveliness of Kerala- the state to which both of us belong – that has inspired many of these spiritual outpourings.
😀
Stringing Words Together With Love
Excerpt from my daughter Sandra Nair’s novel, to be published in 2018.
‘ Scientia– The Knowing Link’
Dedication:
Richard Mitchell
A beautiful diamond among teachers.
An inspiration for generations of students.
Author’s Note (TO BE READ FIRST!)
I’m sure most readers would notice something familiar about the names of the characters- each of them is named after multiple scientists. I used more from the field of (theoretical) physics and mathematics than others. Call it a personal bias. After all, those are the two subjects I’m pursuing degrees in 🙂
My dear Dr. Richard Mitchell, I borrowed your name for one character (Who, btw, is nothing at all like you. After all, you love cats and cats love you!), and your personality for another. The character that I put the most emotional effort into, who also happens to be my personal favorite, Isaac Sklodowski, is (very loosely) based on you. I remember how fond you are of Mr. Isaac Newton (as seen in the first problem set for Math 20B, Winter Quarter 2016, UCSC). I hope I did justice to your dedication as a teacher. Oh, FYI, readers can picture Isaac as David Tennant in the role of the Tenth Doctor in Doctor Who, albeit with black hair and eyes.
This work is a fictionalized account of what happens when physics and spirituality encounter the first year of college in the US. I admit, quite a few characters and incidents were inspired by real life. If you recognize yourselves, but feel bad for whatever reason, please keep in mind that the only reason you are there to begin with is cuz I ❤ you guys. Every one of you. Yes, I suppose that includes my eleven-year-old sister, who is, believe it or not, an even more outrageous version of Julia the bionic cat.
Finally, the real girl behind Scientia has a very important message for the real boy behind Richard. She says, and I quote: “The theoretical physics you put in so much effort over the last couple of years, be it QFT or various mathematical methods, would be completely wasted in a corporate environment. Do a favor to yourself as well as future generations of scientists. Consider continuing in academia. We need more of those who are willing and able to share the knowledge they acquire.” She really means it sincerely.
Sandra Nair
****
Kathu, I am so proud of you! For not only being a good student, creative writer and a loving daughter (affectionate sister? Cough, cough! A cat got my nose:) but also a lovely, beautiful human being.
Life is a mixed bag. You might end up with certain people and circumstances who do everything they can to laugh at your dreams and go out of their way to harm your interests. However, for each such person and set back, there will be a wonderful human being on the path ahead: an unexpected friend, a great teacher, a caring mentor…all from the Universe’s never ending bounty.
Stay rooted, stay creative, stay happy. Never under estimate your own inner light. It might kindle much needed light and warmth in many sensitive hearts.
Happy New Year. Happy New Book!
**
A View From Within
It started with a birthday gift. A book of poetry in my mother tongue. Today, I am part of another journey because of it.An anthology – a collection of selected writings that have been translated into English- is now taking form. I hope it gives joy and serenity to the readers when published.
Another wonderful translation project of a novel is taking off. The title and blurb are being discussed. The excitement of another intellectual adventure is giving me wings! The edits will begin soon. The searching for words : which will capture nuances, accommodate different reading sensibilities, transcend language barriers, convey scalpel sharp emotions, and yet remain unique!
Answering the intelligent questions of multiple editors, defending the choice of phrase or giving way gracefully, listening to the concerns of the author as her beloved child enters into a different world( Will she stumble? Will she float? Will she walk and run at ease into the readers’ heart?)….these are the challenges known only to a translator. Sometimes I reflect that being mother to two daughters- strong, self willed, opposite as chalk and cheese- has prepared me for this role. You should have no ego when it comes to this assignment. You just let the words flow through you, with a silent prayer.
My friends often ask me about how I find time to do my translation assignments. My answer is simple. It gives me joy, so I find the time. It energises me, so I often run to it. It is incredibly fulfilling, so it is worth the effort.
Actually, if you sit before a 200 paged novel and dream of translating it at one go, it will never happen. But if you decide to take one paragraph at a time, and one page at a time….then the mind becomes confident. It is all about our perception after all.
‘So, why don’t you write your own books?’ I grin and say that I translate better than I write! Believe me, I have tried both. The reviews and the award long/shortlists came faster with the former!
Besides, have you ever tried to get inside another’s head? It is akin to a Psychologist’s job! And so, I translate! 😀
***
Ministhy S Nair