Palmleaf 2001

Volume 4y Issue 11y October 2001
The Magazine of Kerala Arts and Literary Association (UK)
The PalmLeaf
Page 1
CONTENTS
aebmfkn\na þ Iebpw
Bkzm-Z-\hpw : Nˬ
Travelogue
20
The Journey to the Holy cave
s\SpapSn thWp
_meN{µtat\m³
thWp \mKhÅn
iyma{]kmZv
tUm. kt´mjv ]nÅ
KALA
Review of the year
‘Ie’bpsS IqsS
s{]m^. hn. a[pkqZ-\³ \mbÀ
40
News and Views
An Audience with Padmini
-ap-cn-¡vp
tUm. ]n. Fw. Aen
39
]p¯-cn-bq-Wvp
Acp-hn-tbm-Svp tKm]m-e-IrjvW³
14
Memoirs
Dice with Death
18
Govindan Unni
Fiction
Mother’s boy
7
Sangeetha Venugopal
A`n-apJw
36
Feature
Science in Astrology
^o¨À
27
Dr. V. Balakrishna Panicker
10
Children’s page
Cotswold trip
17
Rahul Krishnan
apJNn{Xw:
kRvP-b³
{]Zo]v IpamÀ
31
Jayashree Panikker
5
Hcp HmS-¡p-g \mZ¯nsâ
HmÀ½bv¡vp
Kucn tat\m³
34
Geetha Menon
HmW-¡n-\m-hvp
s{]m^. hn. a[pkqZ-\³ \mbÀ
HmÀ½I-fn Hcp ap¯-ѳ
im´ IrjvW-aqÀ¯n
32
Murali Nair
IhnX
P·-km-^eyw tXSn ...
Fkv. ]n. ]c-hqÀ
15
HariSundar. G
30
tIc-f-¯-\n-a-bpsS ]In-«vp
- KoX tat\m³
The PalmLeaf
Page 2
13
D
isasters— natural or man-made—are occurring at a frightening
pace. The bang with which the new year dawned in Gujarat continues unabated elsewhere. Whilst it may be beyond us to prevent a
natural calamity, it is certainly within our realms to control the manmade ones.
Dealing with injustice never demands injustice; it just may appear easier
to believe it does. The principles of Gandhi and Martin Luther King are as
valuable today as they were in the 20th century. This is not a time to suspend principles: the end is not justified by the means. I am sure there are
alternatives to war and terrorism, alternatives that must be pursued by
the most powerful political, religious , cultural and other leaders on the
planet, wholeheartedly.
It is not all doom and gloom in these troubled times as KALA celebrates her fifth birthday this month. We have included a special interview
with the President, Dr. Sukumaran Nair to commemorate this wonderful
occasion.. I am sure you will find the rest of the issue just as fitting. I
will not prolong except to jot a few lines recited by AB Vajpayee to
celebrate the ocassion of ageing.
“Naye meel ka patthar paar hua
Kithne patthar sesh na koyi jaanta?
Anthim koun padaav nahi pahachantha?
Akshay suraj, akhand dharthi
Kewal kaya jeethi-marthi
Is liye umar ka badhna bhee thyohaar hua
Naye meel ka patthar paar hua”
(Roughly translated:
A new milestone has been crossed
How many more, does anyone know?
And the ultimate destination, who knows?
Sun is immortal, earth is eternal
It is the physical form that lives and dies
That is why, getting older becomes a festive
occasion
A new milestone has been crossed)
Editor
The PalmLeaf
Page 3
President
Dr P.K.S. Nair
Editor
Venugopal Prabhakaran
Secretary
Mr Murali Nair
Treasurer
Dr Vasu Nair
Associate Editors
Geetha Menon
Sudha Raghavan
Convener
Mr Mohan Kumar
Page Design and layout
Venugopal Prabhakaran
Webmaster
Dr Ravisekhar
Illustrations
Hema Nair
Geetha Menon
Youth Forum Co-ordinator
Miss Preeti Gopinath
Typesetting
Venugopal Prabhakaran
Publisher
Kerala Arts and Literary Association
“Linden Lea”
Camberely, Surrey
England, GU15 1EA
Telephone: 01276 683480
Editorial Office
88, Apsley way
Longthorpe
Peterborough
Cambridgeshire
England, PE3 9PF
Telephone: 01733 268934
Fax: 01733 268934
email
editor@kala.org.uk
the_palmleaf@hotmail.com
© The Palm Leaf 2001
ISSN 1468-7801
Letters to the Editor.
{ioaXn. B\µw cmP-ti-J-c³
tZhnI, imkvX-aw-K-ew,
Xncp-h-\-´-]pcw
FUn-äÀ,
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‘Ie’ F¶ kmwkv¡m-cnI kwL-S-\sb
]d-b-s«.
Ipdn-¨vp
tI«n«pÅ-XÃmsX ASp-¯-dnbm³ Ign-ª-Xvp Hcp
Akp-e-`-k-µÀ`-ambn Rm³ Icp-Xp-¶p. ‘Ie’bpsS c
−p ]cn-]m-Sn-I-fn ]s¦-Sp-¡p-hm-\pÅ `mKyw F
\n¡pw Fsâ `À¯m-hvp cmP-ti-J-c³ \mbÀ¡pw
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\m«n h¶p ]e-tcm-sSm¯p ]¦p-sh-bv¡p-Ibpw
sNbvXp. C§s\ Hcp kwL-S\ cq]o-I-cn-¡p-Ibpw
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Zb-hmbn kzoI-cn-¡p-I.
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^nenw ta¡À, Xncp-h-\-´-]pcw
{]nbs¸« FUn-äÀ,
‘]mweo^v’ In«n. \µn. tIcf¯n\I¯pXs¶ hcm
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Xncn¨dnbmXncn¡p¶ Hcp ImeL«¯nÂ, C{Xbpw
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Im¯pkq£n¡p¶ ‘Ie’ bpsS {]hÀ¯IÀ
t¡hÀ¡pw Fsâ BiwkIÄ.
The PalmLeaf
Page 4
HmW¡n\mhvp
þ
hn. a[pkqZ\³ \mbÀ
Nn
ämStXSp¶ Nn§amkw
apä¯phmSn¯fÀ¶p \nevt¡
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I®n ]cn`h¸q¸ndt¸m
F®p¶ \mfnsâ \oÀs¸mSnt¸m!
HmWw \aps¡¶psa´p X¶p?
Hmcm−p\ofpw In\mhp X¶p
HmÀ½bvs¡mcpªme, tbmSn hÅw
Hc«m«pan¶pw cpNn¯nf¡w,
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tXm¶en \s½s¸mXnªpX¶q
hnäImW¯n³ InX¸p X¶q
sImän\p ho−pw IS§Ä X¶q
I¼Iw tX·mhpamcyth¸pw
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AÀ°ta tNmcp¶ hm¡pt]mse
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\n³ I®nset´m Nph¶psht¶m
\n¶pÅnseÃmw hnXp¼nsbt¶m
In«m¯]qÆnsâtbmÀ½ am{Xw
sI«n¸nSn¨p \S¶psht¶m!
IqSbntemWw \nd¨p hm§n
tamSnhnbÀ¸n Ipfn¨ptX§n,
D{XmSta, \n³ \nemhpambn
F¯n\mtamW¯ncp¸Sn¡Â
The PalmLeaf
Page 5
HmW¡n\mhvp
þ hn. a[pkqZ\³ \mbÀ
Zm\w sImSp¯ almkpcsâ
Zm\{Iaw Xms\\n¡p `mKw
HmWw ]Xªp]XsªmgpIn
HmWelcnbn Rm³apgpIn
F´p k¼qÀWao kzÀKt`mKw
F¶pw XncpthmWambnSs«!
kz]v\¯nen{µ³ Nncn¨ph¶q
kzÀ®¸pShsb\n¡p X¶q
Hmcm¯temIsa\n¡p Im«n
Hma\s¨mÃn³ ]fp¦p \o«n
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]qhn¯p am{Xsa\n¡p th−q
Fsâbo hma\³ {_ÒNmcn
IqäSnh¨p Ipdns¨Sp¡pw”
“k½Xw
k½Xw” Rm³ sXfnªp
hma\³ hnizw IhnªpbÀ¶p
]mZsa³ Xmgpw incÊnÂh¨p
]mXmfsa³ap¶n hmXpd¶p
kÀhw apSn¨ almkpcsâ
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Akpc·mtcmSp ]dªp, “\ap¡otemI§Ä ]Ips¯Sp¡mw.” “F§s\?”
Akpc·mÀ tNmZn¨p. C{µ³ ]dªp. “Fsâ IqsSbpÅ Cu hma\s\
¡t−m? CbmÄ sNdnb]mZ§Ä sIm−p aq¶p NphSf¡pw. A{Xbpw `mKw
am{Xw R§Ä¡pv. _m¡n temIsaÃmw \n§Ä¡pXs¶.” Akpc·mÀ
BlvfmZ]qÀÆw ]dªp “k½Xw.” DSs\, hma\³ hnizcq]¯n hfÀ¶p.
Hcp ]mZw sIm−p {]]©hpw c−mas¯ NphSp sIm−p c−mas¯
NphSpsIm−p
hm¡pIfpw
aq¶mas¯
NphSpsIm−p
thZ§fpw
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\n¶pw ]pd¯mbn.
[
`mcX¯nsâ, tIcf¯nsâ C¶s¯ IYbpw CXp Xs¶.
sshtZinIamb C{µ{]tem`\w \s½ Akpcamb kz]v\§fn hn{`an¸n
¡p¶ntÃ? ]
The PalmLeaf
Page 6
- Sangeetha Venugopal (16)
R
she got.
avi sat at his oak desk in
the study trying hard to
put Jack's complicated
and almost fictional accounts into order.
The regular clinking on the keyboard
was constantly interrupted by a continuous flow of shouting from the living
room. Ravi sighed and stared into the
murky brown of his coffee which silently
twirled like an old and tired whirlpool.
Only last night the coffee had been the
cause of the eruption. Meera had gone
shopping after work without Amma and
had bought a large jar of Nescafe Gold.
Amma had been furious.
"Nescafe? You bought Nescafe? And
what is wrong with Sainsbury's instant
coffee? Not good enough for you?" the
last few words oozed with sarcasm and
venom and Amma spat them out.
Meera was no better at controlling her
temper.
"What is wrong with you? Why can't I
even have a little pleasure such as
good coffee? I go out and work hard to
earn a good salary while you sit around
the house all day" Meera said incredulously.
"Ravi's money is not there so you can
flitter it away on some …coffee. In my
day a girl knew her place, and do you
know where that place was? In the
kitchen. Have you once set foot in this
kitchen except to make coffee for yourself?." And so it would go on. Again and
again. Ravi knew that it was Amma who
mainly started these fights. Meera was
right in that Amma did seem to pick on
her. Of course Meera gave as good as
The PalmLeaf
They had seemed to get on
well till after the wedding. It had been
Amma's suggestion to meet this girl.
"Her parents are very rich" she'd said
"and the girl is meant to be very clever."
Meera was extremely intelligent. She
was a barrister at an extremely successful London law firm. She seemed
very demure and quiet – just the type of
girl Amma would pick for him. Amma
had loved her. She had insisted that
Ravi buy Meera new churidars and saris beautifully patterned and embroidered with gold. She had got so excited
about the ceremony, finally having the
daughter that she’d always wanted, and
the grandchildren that would soon follow.
“Nescafe? You bought
Nescafe? And what is
wrong with Sainsbury's
instant coffee? Not good
enough for you?”
The loud angry voices continued
to float upstairs. Ravi imagined himself
striding into the room: head raised,
eyes blazing – all in slow motion.
Maybe with his hair slicked back and
moustache pointed like the heroes in
the flamboyant Bollywood movies.
Meera and Amma would stop fighting.
Page 7
They would apologise and forgive. Life
would start again how Ravi wanted it to.
Happy and carefree.
Of course Ravi knew that this
was not going to happen. When had he
ever had the courage to shout at
Amma? When most other teenagers
had been fighting, arguing, sulking with
their parents, Ravi had agreed with
“Ravi I can't stand for this
much longer. She is driving me crazy. Why is she
making my life hell?”
whatever his mother had said. "Ravi go
and tidy your room”, “No you can’t go to
that party”, “You are not reading history
at University – you are going to go into
business. That’s where all the money
is“ had all been accepted by Ravi as his
own ideas and ways of thinking. Any
objection Ravi had made to Amma had
resulted in intense emotional blackmail.
“ I didn’t work my fingers to the bone so
that…” followed by whatever Ravi
wanted to do. To any other teenager
this would have been easily dismissed,
but ever since Ravi’s father had died,
the guilt he felt inside meant he had
conceded to her every wish. Just last
night she had cornered him in the living
room. Amma was complaining about
Meera again. Ravi didn’t mind this so
much. All Amma expected was an occasional nod and an angry face when
the situation required it. But then she
moved into dangerous territory. “How’s
work going Ravi?” she asked.
“Fine” he mumbled.
The PalmLeaf
“Any word about that promotion?” she
asked.
“Not yet”. Ravi hoped she would stop.
“Why aren’t you fighting for it Ravi? You
could do so much better with your life.
Are you just going to sit around and let
them walk all over you?”
“No” (I don’t want a promotion he
thought)
“Stop agreeing with me just for the sake
of it. You have to do it, not just say it”
Ravi thought silence was probably the
best answer.
“Your Achan and I didn’t leave our family and country and work our fingers to
the bone, just so you could flitter your
life away”
“I know”
“So will you try for a promotion?”
“Yes”
“Good boy. You respect your elders
don’t you? Not like that wife of yours…”
Suddenly the shouting from downstairs
stopped. Meera's footsteps could be
heard stomping up the stairs leaving
the thick and tense atmosphere behind.
"Ravi I can't stand for this much longer.
She is driving me crazy. Why is she
making my life hell?". She dropped a
white tablet into her water, creating a
frothing fizzing fountain in the glass.
Ravi remained silent. No answer meant
no aggravation.
"I'm not a bad person Ravi. I try hard to
balance my work with my home. What
does she want me to do?". She strode
up and down the room and looked at
Ravi expecting an answer. Ravi contorted his face into what he hoped was
a thoughtful, sympathetic expression.
“Can’t you do something Ravi?
I still don’t understand why she has to
Page 8
live with us. She’d be much happier in a
home with nurses to look after her, and
people her own age to talk to”
Ravi remained silent.
“We could visit her every weekend. She’d be happy Ravi. There is that
nice place in the suburbs, it’s near the
country. We should go and see what it’s
like”
Still Ravi did not reply.
“How should I expect you to do
anything about it?” Meera spat “She’s
got your round her little finger. You’re
just a weak, good-for-nothing mother’s
boy”
The years passed slowly. The
fighting between mother and daughterin-law never ceased. It seemed to
Meera that Amma was still persecuting
her and fighting with her for no reason
that Meera could fathom. Meera didn’t
understand why. Before Ravi and she
had got married Amma had been so
nice and engaging. After the ceremony
“The day passed like a hazy, lazy
dream: him tying the yellow string
around her neck, garlanding her with a
thick rope of exotic flowers and drawing a line of damp, grainy, ochre, turmeric paste across her smooth and
glistening forehead.”
she had changed dramatically. Ravi, of
course was unable to talk to Amma, to
argue with her, to criticise her. This was
what made Meera really angry. Ravi
was sweet and good, but he had no
courage to stand up to his mother. It
was as if he was trapped in his
The PalmLeaf
mother’s shadow after a lifetime of
domination. As the days went by he
grew more and more distant.
“I was part of the entourage at
the bride’s house helping clothe her in
her blood-red sari and painting the dark
rings of kohl around her eyes. She was
ashen white and shaking slightly. The
sound of the wild drums and trumpets
resonated through the air, and the
heavy perfume of the garland of flowers
made me feel light-headed. I saw Ravi
looking proudly at his only son, smiling.
Although he tried to cover up his pain I
knew that his mother’s death still
preyed heavily on his conscience. The
bond between mother and son had
never truly been severed. The day
passed like a hazy, lazy dream: him tying the yellow string around her neck,
garlanding her with a thick rope of exotic flowers and drawing a line of damp,
grainy, ochre, turmeric paste across her
smooth and glistening forehead. I saw
the expectant and excited crowd that
were packed into the tinsel decorated
hall at Hackney watching my handsome
son and his beautiful bride. They
walked over to Ravi and me and
touched our wrinkled, old feet. She
smiled at me – a warm, soft smile. A
perfect daughter-in-law. As I looked to
my son a deep sadness came over me.
I knew that from now on I was no longer
the only woman in his life, that his new
wife would have more control over him.
He would no longer come to me for advice. I resented her for taking him away
from me. My baby. My son. A mother’s
boy no longer”
Page 9
HmÀ½Ifn Hcp ap¯Ñ³
al mIh nDÅ qcns\ Ipdn¨pÅ HmÀ½ IÄ ¡ v
p A t±l ¯ nsâ ]u{Xn
i m´ I rj v
W aqÀ¯ n\nd§ Ä \ev
I p¶ p.
F
sâ ap¯Ñ\mb DÅqÀ Fkv . ]ctaizc
A¿sc¡pdn¨pÅ HmÀ½IÄ hfsc ]cnanXamWv.
F\nbv ¡ v p A©mdp hbÊpÅt¸mįs¶
almIhn CutemIt¯mSv bm{X ]dªp ]ncnªn
cp¶Xn\m Fsâ HmÀ½IÄ Aѳ, A½, ap¯Èn, aäp
IpSpw_mwK§Ä apXebmhcneqsSbpÅ tI«ptIÄhn am{XamWv.
(Rm³ ChnsS ap¯Èn F¶p ]dbp¶Xv Fsâ AÑsâ
CfbÑsâ ]Xv\nbmb Cfb½sbbmWv. R§fpsS ap¯Èn,
Fsâ
AÑ\pw,
AÑsâ
ktlmZcoktlmZc·mcpw
Ip«nIfmbncn¡pt¼mįs¶ acn¨pt]mbXn\mÂ, AhcpsS
Cfb½bmWv A½Øm\w GsäSp¯vp B Ip«nIsfsbÃmw
hfÀ¯nhepXm¡nbXvp. klmb¯n\p CfbÑ\pw almIhnbpsS
amXmhpw. A§s\ B Cfb½ R§fpsSsbÃmw ap¯Ènbmbn
amdn.)
ap¯Ñs\¡pdnt¨mÀ½n¡pt¼mÄ Fsâ HmÀ½bnemZyw HmSnsb¯p¶Xvp At±l¯nsâ,
D½d¯vp, \ne¯ncp¶pÅ ImhycN\bmWvp. taibpw Itkcbpw H¶pw ap¯Ñ³ D]
tbmKn¨ncp¶nÃ. D½d¯vp \n¶pw AI¯vp \mepsI«ntebv¡vp t]mIphm³ Hcp ]Sn
D−v. AXn Hcp XebnW Nmcnh¨vp \ne¯vp Hcp ]p¸mbn Nmªncp¶vp
ap¶nsemcp tais¸«nsh¨mWvp Fgp¯pw hmb\bpw \S¯nbncp¶Xvp. DÅqcnsâ ]e
Bcm[I·mcpw B Ccp¸ns\¸än hÀ®n¨n«ps−¦nepw Fs¶ Gähpw BIÀjn¨Xvp
almIhn {io. sh®n¡pfw tKm]me¡pdps¸gpXnb Hcp IhnXbnse Nne hcnIfmWvp.
AXp Rm³ ChnsS ]IÀ¯s« þ
ap¶nsemcptais¸«nbpw Xmfpw hncÂþ
¯p¼neÊn²mÀ°amw t]\bpambn¯ms\
D½ds¯mcp sIm¨p]p¸mbn ]SnªpwXþ
¶½sbþ¸mhw aebm×sbþip{iqjn¸m³
Nn´n¨panSbv¡nsS hmbn¨pwIpdn¨paþ
{KÙIm´mc¯nsâ \Sphn ØnX{]Ú³
]t−t¸mencp¶cpfoSpIbÃo sNbvhq
]ÞnXIpe]Xn tIcf thZhymk³!
Hcp photo FSp¯Xpt]mse A{Xbv¡vp A¨«mWo Nn{Xw. almIhn {io. sh®n¡pfw
tKm]me¡pdp¸vp ap¯Ñsâ Nca¯n\pap³]pw ]n¼pw R§fpsS ho«n Hcp
\nXykµÀiI\mbncp¶p.
DÅqcns\
At±lw
kz´w
Kpcp\mY\mbn«mWv
IcpXnbncp¶Xvp.
almIhnbpsS ]qÀÆIpSpw_w hS¡vp I®qcnse Nndbv¡embncp¶p. A¡me¯vp
XncphnXmwIqÀ cmPIpSpw_¯n s]¬apd¯¼pcm¡·mcnÃmXncp¶Xp sIm−vp
Nndbv¡Â tImhneI¯p \n¶pw c−p cmPIpamcnamsc Zs¯Sp¯p. B cmPIpamcnamtcmsSm¸w
cmPIpSpw_s¯
B{ibn¨p
Ignªncp¶
H¶pc−p
{_mÒWIpSpw_§fpw Xncph\´]pct¯bv¡vp amdn¯makn¡pIbp−mbn. AXnÂ
Hcmfmb {io. sh¦n«cma¿À Bbncp¶p almIhnbpsS ]qÀÆ]nXmal³. BZy Ime¯v
Cu IpSpw_w Ica\ {Kma¯nembncp¶p Xmakn¨ncp¶Xvp. ]n¶oSvp almcmPmhv DÅqÀ
{Kmaw {_mÒWÀ¡mbn Zm\w sNbvXt¸mÄ almIhnbpsS IpSpw_hpw DÅqcntebv¡vp
amdn¯makn¨p. A§s\bmWv almIhnbpsS t]cnt\mSp DÅqÀ F¶ Øe\maw
_Ôs¸Sphm³ CSbmbXvp. ]t£ ap¯Ñ³ P\n¨Xvp N§\mtÈcn s]cp¶{Kma¯nse
XmactÈcn Cïmbncp¶p. ImcWw A¡me¯vp ap¯Ñsâ ]nXmhmb kp
The PalmLeaf
Page 10
HmÀ½Ifn Hcp ap¯Ñ³
{_ÒWyA¿À s]cp¶ kÀ¡mÀ
kv¡qfnse aebmfw A²ym]I
\mbncp¶p.
almIhnbpsS
_mey¯n Xs¶ ]nXmhv AIme
Ncaw
{]m]n¨p.
AXn\ptijw
ap¯Ñ\pw IpSpw_hpw ho−pw
DÅpÀ {Kma¯ntebv¡vp Xmakw
amän. Ip«n¡me¯pXs¶ amXmhv,
amXmhnsâ ktlmZcn ]nXmaln,
ktlmZc³,
ktlmZcn
F¶nhcS§p¶
Hcp
henb
IpSpw_¯nsâ NpaXe At±l¯n
t\säSpt¡−n h¶p. BZyIme¯vp
hfsc Zmcn{Zyw A\p`hn¨ncp¶p.
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ap¯Ñ³
F¶pw
cmhnse
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cp¶p. ]ÃptX¸p Ignªp ap¯Èn
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\S¡m\nd§pw.
cmhnsebpw
sshIpt¶chpapÅ
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tijw
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PohnXambncp¶p At±l¯ntâXvp.
Unkv{SnIväv ap³kn^v, Khx sk
{I«dn, Znhm³ IrjvW³\mbcpsS
The PalmLeaf
ss{]häv sk{I«dn, BIvSnwKv No^v
sk{I«dn,
em³Uv
sdh\yq
I½ojWÀ F¶o D¶XØm\§Ä
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HutZymKnIPohnX¯nÂ
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I½nänbn HcwKambn tNÀ¶p.
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¨hcn Hcmfpw, AXnsâ dnt¸mÀ«p
X¿mdm¡n
almcmPmhns\
kaÀ¸n¨Xpw
DÅqcmbncp¶p.
Ahkm\w
t£{X{]thi\hnfw
_cw ]pd¯p h¶t¸mÄ kz´w
kapZmbw almIhnsb ]pd´Ån.
At¸mÄ At±lw C§s\ ]d
ªphs{X þ Rm³ C¶sehsc Hcp
{_mÒW\mbncp¶p. C¶p apXÂ
Hcp a\pjy\mbn.
PmXnaX§fn At±l¯n\p H«pw
hnizmkanÃmbncp¶p. D¨kab¯vp
ho«n Bcph¶mepw, AXp ae¡dn
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t\m Bcpambns¡mÅs«, DuWp
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F¶p \nÀ_Ôambncp¶p.
s]³j³ ]än ]ncnªXn\ptijw
apgph³ kabhpw kmlnXycN
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sshIpt¶cw
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F¶p ]dbpambncp¶p. Ipamc\mim
\pw
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bncp¶p. Bim³ ‘IcpW’sbgpXn
s¡m−ncp¶t¸mÄ AXnse ivaim
\hÀ®\bv¡pth−n
c−pt]cpw
IqSn ]p¯³tIm« ivaim\w ]e
XhW kµÀin¨ncp¶p. kaImeo
Page 11
HmÀ½Ifn Hcp ap¯Ñ³
\cmb
]eIhnIfpw,
Imc·mcpw ap¯Ñs\
ho«nÂhcpambncp¶p.
kmlnXyImWm³
ap¯Ñsâ
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HtcHcp
e£yw
tIcfkmlnXyNcn{Xw
FgpXn
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F ¶ pÅ
Xmbncp¶p. AXn\pth−n ]eXc
¯nepÅ XS椀 XcWw sNt¿
−nh¶p. At¸mtgbv¡pw icocn
ImkzmØy§Ä
hÀ²n¡phm\pw
XpS§n.
tIcfkmlnXyNcn
{X¯nsâ Ahkm\A²ymb§Ä
FgpXn¯ocp¶Xn\nSbv¡vp Hcn¡Â
tcmKw Ieiembn. tUmIvSÀamÀ
hsc
ssIhn«\nebmbn.
c−p
Znhkw t_m[clnX\mbn InS¶p.
kckzXntZhnbpw
ba[À½\pw
X½nepÅ
t ] m c m « a mb n c p ¶ p
F¶mWv
ap¯Èn
AXns\
hntijn¸n¨Xvp. HSp¡w kckzXo
tZhn
Xs¶ Pbn¨p. t_m[w
sXfnªp tcmKw {ItaW Ipdªp.
Fgpt¶äncnbv¡msa¶mbn.
hmin
tbmsS kmlnXyNcn{Xw FgpXn
XoÀ¯vp Fsâ AÑs\ ]IÀ¯n
FgpXm\mbn
G¸n¨p.
AXp
Ignªp ho−pw InS¸nembn. tcmKw
aqÀÑn¨p. ]o¶oSvp aq¶p Znhkw
IqSntb At±lw Pohn¨ncp¶pÅp.
Hcp anYp\w H¶mwXnbXn almIhn
DÅqÀ Cu temIt¯mSvp A´ybm
{X ]dªp.
B Znhkw Rm³ C¶pw HmÀ½n
bv¡p¶p.
kv¡qfnÂ
Bbncp¶
R§sf D¨bv¡vp Hcp aWntbmSp
IqSn
XncnsI
hnfn¸n¨p.
ho«nse¯nbt¸mÄ
D½d¯p
[mcmfw BfpIÄ IqSnbncn¡p¶p.
AIt¯bv¡vp
IS¶t¸mÄ
\mepsI«n ap¯Ñs\ FSp¯p
InS¯nbncn¡p¶p. Xebv¡Â Hcp
\nehnf¡pw
I¯n¨psh¨ncp¶p.
At¸mgpw R§Ä¡vp Imcyw a\Ên
embnÃ. DSs\ ap¯Èn R§sf
ASp¡fbntebv¡vp
Iq«ns¡m−p
t]mbn.
F¶n«v
]dªp,
\n§sfÃmhcpw hÃXpw Ign¨n«vp
Hcp
`mK¯vp
AS§nbncn¡pI.
ap¯Ñ³ acn¨ncn¡p¶p. A§s\
R§fpsS
{]nbs¸«
ap¯Ñ³,
tIcfkmlnXyNcn{Xw FgpXn ]qÀ
¯nbm¡pI F¶ Xsâ PohnX
e£yw
k^eamb
NmcnXmÀ
°yt¯msS
R§sfbpw
Cu
temIs¯bpw Fs¶t¶bv¡pambn
hn«p ]ncnªp. tIcfob\mb B
almIhn
tIcfs¯bpw
aebmf`mjtbbpw
F{Xam{Xw
kvt\ln¨ncp¶p
F¶pÅXn
\pZmlcWambn
At±l¯nsâ
‘DamtIcf ’¯nÂ
\n¶pw
c−p
ivtfmI§Ä D²cn¨p sIm−vp Cu
teJ\w Rm³ Ahkm\n¸n¡p¶p.
“]ca]pcpjit¿,
`mcXt£mWnaute
]cipPb]XmtI, ]ßPm\r¯imte
]canh\pklmbw ]mcnemcpÅq? \otb
]chiXbIän ]me\w sNbvIXmtb
ASnb\n\nbpap−mw P·sa¶mesXÃmw
ASnapXÂ apSntbmfw \n¶nemIs« Xmtb
ASnaecnWthWw Xm§phm³ asämtcSþ
¯SnbphXp sRcp¡w apànkn²n¡pthmfw.”
The PalmLeaf
Page 12
CHILDREN’S CORNER
- Rahul Krishnan (15) Slough Grammar School
July 14th, 7:00 am, I wake up to see my father staring right into my face whispering,“ Cotswold.” Without
thinking twice and raced out of bed and went straight to the loo, only to find it locked and occupied by my
brother. Knowing that I would have to wait for some time, I went downstairs to find my mum busily cooking some tapioca and chutney for the evening. After having some breakfast and getting dressed, we had to
pack all of the items, which we would most likely need during the day. It was 9:00am, and everyone was
panicking. I had to run around the house and make sure things like the iron was switched off, while everyone else was making sure that they had taken absolutely everything. Eventually at approximately 9:15am,
we all gathered outside the house and after checking whether we had the house and car keys, we were ready
to leave for the long journey...
Once in the car, I realised how dull it was outside
and was very worried about the weather. The
clouds seemed very gloomy as if they were about to
burst any minute. As we progressed further on into
the journey, it was reassuring to find that it was
much clearer and sunnier here. There were twelve
long-winded junctions to pass once we were on the
M4.
The drive was about one and half-hours long, during which I had a very long, sleep.
Once there, the atmosphere was great. We didn’t have much trouble in finding the place as there
were ‘Kala’ signs posted up. Everyone was just
about to go for a walk around the forest.
Not many people had arrived yet and unfortunately
some people who were planning to attend this great
KALA event had to pull out due to other activities
they had.
We were allocated to ‘Plot Barbecue 3,’ which was
very large. It had a basketball court, climbing frame,
volleyball court and a lot of green space, which was
perfect to play some good cricket. The first activity
planned for the day was a walk, which was three
miles around a lake consuming a good half-hour
and was extremely pleasant. Everyone participated,
apart from a few who had to prepare the barbecue.
It was also a pleasure to see ‘Amma’ participate in
this event.
As it approached half twelve, everyone had arrived
and the barbecue was warming up. Most of the
older kids were playing cricket, while the adults
were enjoying socialising and stuffing themselves
with snacks. Just before lunch got under way, there
was a light drizzle, which fortunately did not put
the barbecue out.
Lunch was great. There were a variety of foods,
The PalmLeaf
which attracted some hungry ducks and swans. Everybody enjoyed lunch, but all the kids had no time
to waste, as there was so much to do. Using an inflatable ball we played volleyball for an hour or so.
The smaller kids just liked to roll around in the
sand, but before long we found a group of keen
adult cricketers, who were willing to give the kids a
match. Uncle Gopi proved how good he was as a
wicket keeper, doing some excellent catches, while
Praveen and myself showed the whole lot of adults
how to bowl! Don’t forget Uncle Sethu, who didn’t
show any signs of old age, while taking an incredible catch and also doing some great fielding. This
was a good time to show that he was still as fit as
fiddle as it was his 60th birthday. He was presented
with a surprise birthday cake, which everyone enjoyed. Without any surprise, the clear winners were
the kid’s team. During the time we played cricket,
most of the other adults went for a long five-mile
walk.
Some people had to unfortunately leave early,
and that included over half of the kids. It was
roughly 6:00pm and it was just getting a bit dull.
There was a period of light showers, which didn’t
bother most. The remaining families gathered under the tent and engaged in some singing for a
while.
There were a variety of different songs, ranging
from classical to light music, in which most of the
adults participated. The trip wouldn’t have been as
successful without the cracking jokes from both
Uncle Natarajan and Uncle Sukumaran.
The day ended with dinner, which was fabulous,
and at half eight the grounds were empty and the
only things left behind were the trails of all our
cars.
Page 13
þA cphntbmSv
ptKm]meIrjv
W³
]p
¯cnbqWpw Ignªph¶vp
shäneXn¶v shSn]dªvp
Ip¼bpgnªpckn¨ncn¸q
]u˨ancmhnse ImctWmcvp
]p¯cnÊZysImXn¨p h¶pv
tkh ]nSn¨pw kvXpXn]dªpw
Ip£n\ndbv¡m³Xnc¡p¡q«pw
taL¸cnjIf¦W¯nÂ
DÅSp¸¯nsâ tXmXns\m¸w
DÅXhÀ¡pw ]IÀ¶p \evIn
DÅw sXfnbpamdm\nebnÂ
ImctWmÀ kz´w s]mena Im«n
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
aämcpw tIÄ¡msX ImctWmÀX³
ImXnÂa{´n¡p¶p sI«ne½
“sIm¨p§Äs¡m¶pw sImSp¯n«nÃm
]«nWnbmWXnt§mÀ½thWwþ”
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
Ip¼ Ipep¡n¨ncn¨p ImÀt¶mÀ
“Chscms¡ \msfbpw tht−mctÃ,
Xdhm«p t\À\new sImbvXXtÃ,
CXp \n\¡pw AdnhpÅXtÃþ”?
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
Xdhm«n kZy s]mSns]mSnbvt¡
XmcIss¸X§ÅpÅp \odn
I¯pw hbdpambv \mepsI«nÂ
I¯ns¯fnbv¡mbnIm¯ncn¸q.
The PalmLeaf
Page 14
The Journey to the Holy cave --- AMARNATH YATRA- 2001
I
n July 2001, large number of devotees embarked on a week long pilgrimage to
Amarnath, one of the most sacred mountains in the world and the abode of Lord
Siva, situated in the Peer Panchal hills in Kashmir, just near the Pakistan border
and hardly nine kilometers away from Kargil. To pilgrims, Amarnath is the bestower of divine grace and destroys sins; to walk once to the holy mountain holds
great powers of purification. What follows are the extracts from the diary of Hari
Sundareswara Sarma, one of the yatris, who is the only Keralite to have gone to
Amarnath in 2001.
Driving to Chandanwadi to start the
walk to the holy cave
As we drive further away from Anantnag
and Banihal, the countryside starts to
change. Initially it seems to be the same
each day, but the change is rather subtle
and so is the change in the energies. Reality and imagination seem to melt into
each other. I can feel the fever rising
soon and headache after which I took refuge in sleeping in the bus. But I can understand in my inner mind that Siva energy is preparing me to get ready for everything on the way.
As we reached Pahalgam, the base
camp at night, I started getting back to
normal. And the next morning, a dip in
the Lidder river at 5 Am. in cold water
transformed me 100 percent. We get
ready for the trip and we are to reach
Chandanwadi, 16 kms from Pahalgam
and 8,500 above sealevel. There is an
expectancy and nervousness in the air
and all are eager to reach Chandanwadi.
I just wanted to get going and it has
started now.
One could see the swift flowing Neel
Ganga, which is believed to remove
Brahma hathya, Go hathya and all other
sins. It is said that the colour of this river
changed when Siva washed off the
"kaajal" which was on his face when he
embraced Parvathi at this spot. Some
took the walking way while some opted
for pony and some in dollies. The luggage on my back was rather making it
The PalmLeaf
difficult for me and we hired a "pittu" for
taking our luggages.
The climbing
Climbing towards the cave was rather difficult at several places especially in those
areas where the pathways are too narrow
and just a slip of the feet would see you
land deep down in the valleys. We walk
slowly and stop many times. And here
starts the difficult climbing of the Pissu
Top (Pissu ghati) which is 11,500 feet
above sea level. A meeting place of several rivers which start from the Peer
Panchal hills and the Seshnag mountain.
One of the most picturesque areas on
way, this place is said to have got its
name since the Pissu Ghat was formed
as a result of the killing of several Asuras
by Siva. The mountain is said to have
been made by crushing the bones of asuras. The long circular, serpentine hill with
difficult ups and downs is said to remove
the pride from ones mind as he climbs it.
And now my concentration is fixed on trying to get air into my lungs. At some
stages I just think why I came for this
trip - rather hazardous one - but step by
step and breath by breath, I just forget
everything and start climbing over the
rocks to get to the top. Anger, frustration,
fear- all these arise in my mind and seem
to push me to the edge of madness,
maybe I am mad already?
And then we arrive at Seshnag after travelling 14 kms from Pissu Top. Situated
11,330 feet above sealevel, this is indeed
the picturesque place with the cool
Page 15
The Journey to the Holy cave --- AMARNATH YATRA- 2001
breeze always calming the pilgrims who
reach here totally tired. Just a dip at the
Seshnag lake is all that is enough for us
to remove our tiresome attitude and a
short break here for refreshments and
we proceed towards Panch Tarani.
Panch Tarani
At the end of the day, we reach Panch
Tarani, 12,000 ft. above sealevel from
where we could have a glimpse of the
snow clad mountain in which the holy
cave is situated. I allowed the picture to
settle in my mind and just develop as I
offered my prayers to lord Siva. A
sumptuous food at the Langar by the
Rajasthanis and stay in the tent made
us happy. We started our preparations
for the climbing to the final point to be
started at 3 am. the next day. In fact the
difficulty in getting adequate breath due
to lack of Oxygen made many of us land
in hardships but the energy in us and
the mantra chanting by us helped a lot.
All are exhausted and just hit the beds.
It’s 2 am now. Somehow we start our
journey by around 3 am. riding in a pony
so as to reach the holy cave as soon as
possible and spend more time there.
We pass on slowly and stop at many
places. I was grateful to the ponywala
for the stops and the slow pace of our
climb. A steep climb and on one side of
it is seen a huge glacier and a very
deep pit. And as we hear that it was
same place where the landslide had occurred last year in which danseuse, Ms.
Protima Bedi was killed, we offer our
homage to her with a silent prayer to
Bolenath.
And finally…..
It’s all joy in our minds as we somehow
reach just near the holy cave in front of
which flows the Amaravathi river, which
is believed to give immortality to those
who bathe in it. The legend is that this
river was created by Lord Siva when he
placed the crescent moon on the
ground. At the same time, the ice cold
water that fell on the body of Siva thus
changing him into the form of a "linga".
It’s all cold and frozen around and we
are in bare foot as we climb the steps
towards the Holy cave. The two white
pigeons which are believed to have
heard the story of the secret of creation
narrated to Parvathi by Siva are also
seen there.
"Bham Bham bhole" is all that is heard
all around as we walk slowly forgetting
all our pain, the chillness and the
cramps. And here I am just in front of
the ice Siva linga and I just start reciting
the verses, "Sham chame mayaschame
priyam chame…." from Rudram and oh
I am invited to the front by the pundit
(Poojari) to offer prayers. I just felt that
the tension of my life is all over. The
heartbeat, the energy, body, mind and
soul- all seem to have melted along with
the energy around me. No form can be
given to this energy. I was just looking
at the Sivalinga, and at times I was able
to see my reflection- no doubt, the truth
is everywhere. I just start to understand
how deep the Siva energy works. It is
too strong to be described.
If it is true that all sins are forgiven by
the act of going to Amarnath, then the
grace of Lord Siva is limitless and within
the painful realisation lies the unconditional love of the Lord.
Hari Sundar is the staff reporter of THE HINDU. His areas of expertise are arts, music and culture. Hari Sundar is also the author of two books - one based on his own compositions and the
other one is titled “Bhagavad Gita through Thyagaraja” - a comparison between Gita and Thyagaraja compositions.
The PalmLeaf
Page 16
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`mcX¯nse H¶mas¯ Ihnsb ImWm³ hnhn[`mjIfnse IhnIÄ sh¼Â Iq«n.
`mcX¯nse hyXykvX`mjIfnse IhnXIÄ \m«nsâ lrZb¯nsâ `mh§Ä sshhn
[yt¯msS {]Imin¸n¡pIbmsW¶v ‘Pn’ A`n{]mbs¸«p. Ihnbv¡vp cN\ Bßkm
£mXv¡mcamWv. a\Ênse {]Xn_nw_w Xsâ ]p{Xsâ apJ¯vp ZÀin¡pt¼mgpÅ A\p`qXn¡vp
kZriyamWXvp. ‘Pn’bpsS {]`mjWhpw At±l¯nsâ IhnX t]mse Ahncma{]hmlamWv. Hcp
Pe]mXIs¯bmWv AXvp HmÀ½n¸nbv¡pI F¶vp s{]m. Fkv. Kp]vX³\mbÀ ]dbpt¼mÄ,
s{]m. hnjvWp\mcmbW³ \¼qXncn¡p−mhp¶ A\p`qXn asämcphn[¯nemWv. {]kwK
thZnIfn lnairwKkZri\mb ‘Pn’bpsS BImchpw, KwKm{]hmlw Xs¶bmb B htNm
[mcbpw Hcn¡e\p`hn¨hÀ¡vp A\\yamb Hc\p`hamWv F¶mWv.
XnckvImc ImckvIcs¯ a[pcam¡n amäp¶ B kmXznI`mh\bmWv Ipdp¸vamÌdpsS Gähpw
henb kn²nbpw At±l¯nsâ IhnXbnse Zo]vXnbpw F¶mWv A¿¸]Wn¡À¡v ]dbm
\pÅXv.
1978þÂ s^{_hcn 2þ\p B Zo]w s]menªp. B thWpKm\w \ne¨p þ `uXnIambn. A¶pw
C¶pw F¶pw kmlnXykZÊnse sISmhnf¡mbn \nes¡mÅpIbmWv B alm{]Xn`.
The PalmLeaf
Page 17
DICE WITH DEATH
Govidan Unni reflects on a tragedy unfolded in the deserts of
Arabia.
T
he sun was shining
brightly it had
rained earlier on,
there was a cool breeze
blowing, making the air
smell clean and healthy.
The children were laughing, shouting and running
around and the ladies,
dressed up in multicoloured sarees and
adorned with different
types of jewellery, made
a
pretty picture. The men
were gathered in small groups with topped-up
glasses, engrossed in conversation. Everyone
seemed to be having a great time. The aroma of
freshly made dosas filled the air. Girls were busy
handing out vadas, cutlets and other snacks. Yes,
everyone was truly enjoying themselves and having
a great time. Of course, there was nothing unusual
about this. The annual garden party hosted by
Surendran and Sunitha was a well known social
event where people met to make new friends, renew old friendship and, by and large, enjoy themselves. I sat alone, away from the crowd with a
glass of gin and tonic, looking around, at the far
end of the garden. Little girls and boys were playing
at the swings, a little further down a would-be doctor was trying very hard to impress a newly qualified doctor, ladies were discussing their new jewellery, recent trips abroad and so on. My mind went
down memory lane to a similar garden party several years ago...when I first met Sidharthan and
Saritha.
There was no cinema and no alcohol available and
very few socializing events. One day, just like a
bolt from the blue, I received an invitation ……
“Would Dr… join us at a garden party at our residence on ... day”. It was from someone called
Siddharthan and Saritha. I was most pleasantly
surprised. Although I did not know who they were, I
decided to go along. After all for someone like me
living alone, this was like an oasis in a barren desert.
I was working in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia and had recently joined the Royal Commission Hospital as
Medical Director. I had not yet made many friends
and lived alone in a spacious fully furnished air conditioned villa, which was one of the perks of the job.
My wife had returned to Kerala as our daughter and
son were studying there. Life was quite monotonous and boring. After returning from work, there
was not much to do. Of course there was the option
that one could play tennis or badminton or go for a
swim in the heated pool at the recreation centre.
In the following weeks, I came to know more about
Siddharthan and Saritha. He was a very enterprising young man, a go- getter, a loving husband and
lovable father. Saritha was from a poor Nambhoodhiri family who had been landlords once upon
a time. The family now lived on the earnings of her
father who was the “melshanti” at the local temple.
Their’s were a marriage which raised a few eyebrows. In spite of intense opposition from her parents, she walked out with him. They seem to adore
each other. They were made for each other.
The PalmLeaf
The garden was decorated and balloons were
hanging all over; multicoloured small lights gave the
venue a beautiful appearance. There were a lot of
people - well-dressed Malayali couples, a few
Americans working in the Petrochemical plant and
at the Royal Commission and paramedics from
United Kingdom. There were quite a few ladies too,
Philippino and Korean nurses and a few western
women. The food was aplenty, although alcoholic
drinks were served surreptiously due to the strict
Saudi laws – a locally brewed drink called
“Siddiqui” made of dates were available. Everyone
got into the swing of the party. Both Saritha and
Siddharthan played the perfect hosts. I was formally introduced to them. Siddharthan was from
Calicut, a graduate, came to Saudi 10 years ago
and had made good. He had a good job in the Petrochemical plant in addition to being a partner of a
flourishing video parlour. Saritha was from Trichur,
from an orthodox Nambhoodhiri family. They had
been at college together, where they met and later
got married. They had a lovely daughter Shalini and
a bubbly son Adhithya. They were a perfect couple
and a complete family.
Page 18
DICE WITH DEATH
As hours rolled into days and days rolled into
weeks and months, we became very close friends.
We used to meet almost daily. We went to see the
sundunes in the desert, went for barbeque and I
slowly but surely became almost a part of the family. For me, this was a blessing, I no longer felt
lonely or isolated. I was ‘mama’ to the children and
‘Ettan’ to the parents. With time, I began noticing a
change in Siddharthan. He was still cheerful and
literally rolling in money. He spend a lot of these on
new dresses for the children and new jewellery for
Saritha. He was also seen going away on short
holidays—“ business trips”, he called these. I asked
Saritha about these business trips but she only
seemed very pleased that her ‘chettan’ was doing
so well. I felt relieved, I felt happy for them, even
though at the bottom of my mind I felt a twinge.
That December, I was in Kerala on a holiday. I was
with my elderly mother, my dear wife and my lovely
children. I was really enjoying a well-earned break.
I forgot all about Saudi and all the familiar faces
there. One evening, I got a long distance phone
call. My wife had picked up the phone and said “It
is from Saudi and it is a woman’s voice”. I picked
up the phone. It was Saritha. She was crying and
hysterical. “Ettan, its me. Chettan has been taken
away by police and I have not seen him for a few
days. I don’t know why he has been taken. I have
been trying to contact him but haven’t been able to
do so, please help, Ettan. With your contacts you
will be able to help him.” I was shocked and felt
numb. I tried to phone a Saudi police officer who
was my patient but I knew it will be futile. I reassured Saritha and promised her that I will find out
the details and call her back. I was also due back
shortly. My persistant enquiries bore fruit and I
managed to glean the essential details. However,
what I heard shocked me. I could not, or would not
believe them. Siddharthan has been arrested for
drug- trafficking, dealing in brown sugar and cocaine. He was caught red-handed at Riyadh as he
was exchanging drugs for money. In fact, it transpired that the officials were closely observing him
for some time. His video parlour was raided and
they found hundreds of hardcore blue films that
weretotally banned in the country. “Why, Siddharthan, why ?” I asked myself. He almost had everything a man desired - a decent job, a lovely, adoring wife and two adorable children. As I was fully
aware that the dealth penalty is the punishment for
The PalmLeaf
drugs related crimes; I didn’t know what to say to
Saritha.
After a few days, I was back in Yanbu. The police
had moved in and Siddharthan’s shop and all his
assets were frozen and confiscated. Saritha and
the children were to be deported. I met Saritha. She
looked totally different - as if in a trance. She had
not slept or changed her clothes for days. Her once
cheerful face now had large, sunken eyes and were
without expression. The other Malayalees and I
tried to get Saritha and the children back to Kerala
even before the official deportation order came
through. We decided to put up with the expenses
and I was more than happy to do this for them.
There was just another day to go before their departure. Saritha decided that she couldn’t do it.
She was found hanging from the bedroom ceiling
fan.
I was fully immersed in my hospital routine and was
desperately trying to get over the shock. A few
weeks after the incident, we read a small news item
in the ‘Riyadh Gazette’ newspaper. Four people
including an Indian, a Pakistani and two Yemeni
were executed by beheading for drugs related
crimes according to Shariah laws. The news item
went on to say that the Indian had been a senior
officer in a Petrochemical plant and was from Kerala. Tears rolled down my eyes. I tried to visualise
the scene, as I have done in the past when I had to
officially witness such executions - with a black
hood over his head, hands tied behind, slowly led
to the altar in a trance and a big swish. It was all
over. Why did it have to end this way?
The garden party was in full swing ….. the aroma of
freshly made food filled the air. Kappa and meen
curry was being served at one end. the drinks was
literally flowing and the melodious song sung by
Mohammed Rafi - “Madhuben…” drifted through
the air. Surendran and Sunitha were running
around making sure everyone was well looked after. The perfect hosts. My eyes - through the evening mist - saw the dim figure of an over-ambitious
young man and his lovely, devoted wife far, far
away in the deserts of Saudi Arabia. Someone
whose blood was split over the streets of Riyadh
and the other, whose soul was awaiting solace and
salvation in the Arabian deserts. Their faces coninue to haunt me.
Page 19
ae
na þIebpw Bkzm
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Bkzm--Z-\
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\{]Ø’¯n F¯n \n¡p¶p. Cu ImeL«¯n\pÅn aebmfkn\na
tZiobXe¯nepw A´Àt±iob Xe¯nepw {]ikvXnbmÀÖn¨ncn¡¶p.
kn\na F¶ am²ya¯nsâ iàn ]qÀ®ambpw D]tbmKs¸Sp¯m³ IgnhpÅ H«\h[n IemImc·msc krjvSn¡m³ aebmfkn\nabv¡v Ignªn«p−v.
A¡mcWw sIm−p Xs¶ Hcn¡Â B[n]Xyw ]peÀ¯nbncp¶ _wKmfn kn
\nabpsS ]Zhn aebmfkn\na t\SnsbSp¯n«p Imew Ipsdbmbn. ae-bm-f-¯nÂ
\nÀ½n¡s¸-Sp¶ hnt\m-Z-Nn-{X-§Ät]mepw aäp `mj-I-fnse kam-\-Nn-{X-§-sf¡mÄ \ne-hm-c-ta-dn-b-Xm-sW¶ hkvXpX Bizm-k-¯n\p hI-tbdp-¶p. Cu
kµÀ`¯n kn\nabpsS hnhn[taJeIfn hyànap{Z ]Xn¸n¨n«pÅ {]
Kev`aXnIfmb GXm\pw kplr-¯p-¡sf ]s¦-Sp-¸n¨p sIm−v ae-bm-f-kn-\n-asb
Bkv]-Z-am¡n Hcp hnÀ¨z NÀ¨ (Virtual discussion) {]kn-²o-I-cn-¡p-I-bm-Wv.
Xnc-t¡-dnb Pohn-X-¯n-\n-S-bn CXn\p th−n kabw Is−-¯nb kp{]-kn²
\S³ {io. s\Sp-apSn thWp, {]ikvX \S\pw, kwhn-[m-b-I\pw, Xnc-¡-Ym-Ir-¯pw,
\nÀ½mXmhp-amb {io. _me-N-{µ-ta-t\m³, {]ikvX \S\pw, kwhn-[m-b-I\pw, Xnc¡-Ym-Ir-¯pw, \nÀ½mXmhp-amb {io. thWp \mK-hÅn, {]kn² kwhn-[m-b-I³
iyma-{]-km-Zv, ‘]mweo-^n’sâ ap³]-{Xm-[n-]cpw ‘Ie-’bpsS ^nenw {In«n-¡pamb tUm.
kt´mjv ]nÅ F¶nhtcmSp The PalmLeaf-\pÅ IS¸mSv \nkoaamWv.
tNmZyw 1: kn\na Hcp Iemcq]w
aäp Iemcq]§sf¡mÄ Ne¨n{X¯n hnt\mZ¯n\pÅ km²yX GsdbpÅXvp sIm−vp
Ne¨n{Xw Hcp IebmbÃ, adn¨vp tIhehnt\mZm]m[nbmbn ImWp¶hcpsS F®w hfsc
IqSpXemWvp. F¶m kn\na Hcp kmt¦XnI IebmsW¶v AhImis]Sp¶p aäp NneÀ.
kmt¦XnIXbn A[njvTnXamb Iemcq]ambXp sIm−vp Nne IemhnaÀiIÀ AXns\
IebpsS hn`mK¯n DÄs]Sp¯m³ hnapJX ImWn¡p¶p. Cu [mcWIsf¡pdn¨vp
Xm¦fpsS A`n{]mbsa´mWv?
s\Sp-apSn thWp
temIs¯¼mSpapÅ `qcn]£w Ne¨n{X {]tbmàm¡fpw t{]£Icpw kn\nasb
¡mWp¶Xvp Hcp hnt\mtZm]m[n F¶ \nebv¡vp Xs¶bmWv. IhnXt]msebpw Nn{XIe
t]msebpw inev]w t]msebpw kn\na Hcp IemImcsâ `mh\bn hncnªphcp¶
krjvSn Xs¶bmhWsa¶pÅ ZÀi\t¯msS kn\nasb kao]n¡p¶ NeNn{XImc·mÀ
\yq\]£amsb¦nepap−vp. tIheamb t\cwt]m¡n\¸pdw CuSpä Iemcq]ambncn¡Ww
kn\na, F¶p Imw£n¡p¶ BkzmZIhrµhpap−vp. A§s\bpÅ kn\naIfmWv,
atäsXmcp D¯aamb krjvSntbbpw t]mse ImetZimXnhÀ¯nbmbn \ne sImÅp¶Xvp.
_me-N-{µ-ta-t\m³
F´mWp Ie F¶Xn\vp hyàamb hymJym\w Is−¯pI ZpjvIcamWv. F¦nepw
]t©{µnb§Ä¡pv kzmb¯amIp¶ Hcp B\µw F¶ Rm³ hntijn¸n¡mw.
IpcpS·mÀ B\sb X¸n hnebncp¯nbXv, Iesb hymJym\nbv¡p¶hÀ¡vp ]änb
DZmlcWamWv. Bhnjv¡mc¯nemWv
IebpsS
P\\w; kwthPZ\¯nemWv
(communication) IebpsS ]qÀ®X. Cu c−p [À½§fpw Gähpw im´ambn ]cn]men
¡s¸Sp¶ am²yaamWv kn\na. AXp sIm−p Xs¶ kn\nasb Rm³ iàamb
Iemcq]w F¶p Rm³ hntijn¸n¡p¶p.
The PalmLeaf
Page 20
ae
na þIebpw Bkzm
hpw
ae-b
-bm- -k
kn-\na
Bkzm-Z- -\
\hpw
bmmf
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þ
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thWp \mK-hÅn
kn\na ]qÀ®amb Iemcq]aÃ. kmt¦XnI, km¼¯nI amä§Ä¡vp hnt[bamWv kn
\na. IYIfn t]mse Hcp ]qÀ® Iemcq]aà kn\na.
iyma-{]-kmZv
atäsXmcp Iemcq]t¯bpwt]mse kn\nabpw Bß{]Imi\¯nsâbpw, hnt\mZ¯n
sâbpw, hnÚm\¯nsâbpw kaRvPkamb Hcp D]m[nbmWv. kz]v\Xpeyamb Hcp
temIw krjvSns¨Sp¡p¶Xn Iymad F¶ tool-sâ km[yXbmbncn¡mw IqSpX escapist Bb Hcp taJebnte¡vp t{]£Is\ \bn¡m³ t{]cIambXvp. atäXp Iemcq]
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Bbn¯ocp¶Xpw.
Hcp
{]tXyI
AfhnÂ
kmt¦XnIX
FÃmIemcq]§fnepw
LSIamWvp.
IÀ®mSIkwKoX¯nsâ Xmf]²Xn, AXntâXmb Hcp kmt¦XnIbmWv. AXpt]mse
kn\nabpw asämcpXcw kmt¦XnIX D]tbmKn¡p¶p F¶tXbpÅp. {][m\s¸« {]iv\w
CXmWvp. Hmtcm¶nt\bpw Hmtcm I¼mÀ«vsaâpIfnem¡n te_sem«n¨vp sh¡m\pÅ
IemhnaÀiIcpsS XmXv]cyamWv C¯cw efnXhXvIcWw D−m¡p¶Xvp.
tUm. kt´mjv ]nÅ
Iebpw
hnt\mZhpw
]ckv ] chncp²§fmb
Imcy§fÃ.
kmaqlnIhpw
kmwkv¡mcnIhpw ZmÀi\nIhpamb {]iv\§sf kuµcymßIambn Bhnjv¡cn¡m\pw
{]Ncn¸n¡m\pw aäp ]e Iemcq]§sf¡mÄ Gsd iàn kn\nabv¡p−vp.
ASnØm\]cambn aäp Iemcq]§fnÂ\n¶pw hyXykvXamWv kn\na F¶ncn¡nepw Nn
{XIebpsSbpw \mSyIebpsSbpw kmlnXy¯nsâbpw kwKoX¯nsâbpw Hs¡ Hcp
k½nfnX cq]amWv Hmtcm NeNn{Xhpw. kn\nabpsS ta·bpsS ASnØm\w
kmt¦XnIhnZybÃ,
adn¨v
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krjv S n¡p¶
kwhn[mbIsâbpw
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Ombm{KlWþkwhn[m\ NmXpcytam, Fw.Sn.bpsS Xnc¡Ytbm hbemdnsâ IhnX
Xpfp¼p¶ Km\§tfm, tbipZmknsâ i_vZtam kmt¦XnIbpsS krjvSnbÃ. Ahsb
Ãmw IemImcsâ ssh`hw Xs¶bmWvp.
tNmZyw 2: P\{]nbX
aäp Iemcq]§sf At]£n¨vp kn\nabv¡vp Gsd¡mes¯ Ncn{Xw AhImis]Sm
\mhnÃ. F¶ncn¡nepw \qäm−pIfneqsS aäpIemcq]§Ä BÀÖn¨ t\«§Ä Hcp \qäm
−psIm−p Xs¶ kn\na ssIhcn¨p Ignªpsh¶v ]dªm AXv AXn
itbmànbmhnÃ.
\nc£cnÂt¸mepw
NeNn{Xam²ya¯n\pff
kzm[o\w
hfsctbsdbmWv. aäp IeIsf At]£n¨p NeNn{X¯n\p C{Xb[nIw P\{]oXn
“Bhnjv¡mc¯nemWv IebpsS P\\w; kwthPZ\¯nemWv
IebpsS ]qÀ®X. Cu c−p [À½§fpw Gähpw im´ambn ]cn]m
þ _me-N-{µ-ta-t\m³
en¡s¸Sp¶ am²yaamWv kn\na.”
The PalmLeaf
Page 21
þ
ae
na þIebpw Bkzm
hpw
ae-b
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kn-\na
Bkzm-Z- -\
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e`n¡phm\pÅ ImcW§sfs´ms¡ bmsW¶v Xm¦Ä¡v Nq−n-¡m-Wn-¡mtam?
s\Sp-apSn thWp
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kn\na. kwKoXw, \r¯w, kmlnXyw, A`n\bw, Nn{XIe, Ombm{KlWw F¶n§s\
FÃmänt\bpw kzm[oIcn¨mWv kn\na Icp¯mÀÖn¨Xvp. PohnX¯n km²yambXpw
Akm²yambXpsaÃmw A\p`hthZyambn sIm−mSm³ kn\nabv¡vp Ignbpw. t{]£I
s\ AÛpX¯nsâbpw DtZzK¯nsâbpw apÄap\bn \nÀ¯m\pw, H¸w lrZbkv]À
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[Iscbpw BkzmZIscbpw Hcpt]mse kn\na BIÀjn¡p¶p.
_me-N-{µ-ta-t\m³
Gähpw Nnehp Npcp§nb hnt\mtZm]m[nbmWv kn\na. I®pIÄ¡vp BbmkanÃmsX ]
Xn³aS§v hen¸¯n Imcy§Ä ImWm\pÅ {]tXyIX, \át\{X§Ä¡v
ImWmhp¶Xnepw BIÀjWw krjvSn¡p¶ _nw_§Ä kn\nabv¡vp am{Xw
AhImis¸«XmWv. FÃmän\pap]cn, kmt¦XnIXzw ]Icp¶ Hcp Xmc]cnthjw. FÃmw
IqSnt¨À¶t¸mÄ kn\na shfn¨¯p shoot sNbvXvp Ccp-«-¯vp project sN¿p¶XmsW¦nepw
P\{]nbam¡p¶ Imcy¯n aäp ]eXns\bpw IS¯nsh«nbncn¡p¶p. IYIfn t]m
sebpÅ IemkrjvSnIÄ hntZinIÄ \ndª _nbÀ ]mÀedpIfnepw kuµcy
aÕcthZnIfnepw
t\m¡p¡p¯nIfmbn
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F´p ]dbm³?
thWp \mK-hÅn
BdSn s]m¡apÅ IYm]m{X§sf ap¸¯nbmdSn
BkzmZIcpsS BImw£bmWv kn\nabpsS iàn.
s]m¡¯nÂ
ImWphm\pÅ
iyma-{]-kmZv
kwKoX, \r¯, \mSImZnIfpsS IqSnt¨c Xmtg¡nSbnepÅ A`ncpNnsb [mcmfw
Xr]vXns¸Sp¯p¶p. vicarious Bb BËmZw \evIp¶ aäp LSI§Ä F¶nhsbms¡
kn\nabpsS P\{]oXn¡p ImcWamWvp.
tUm. kt´mjv ]nÅ
Ne-\m-ß-I-amb a\p-jy-`m-h-§-sfbpw hnIm-c-§-sf-bpw, Ahbpw ]cn-k-c-§-fp-am-bpÅ CS]-g-I-en-s\-bpw, kq£va-ambn H¸n-sb-Sp¯vp t{]£-Isâ kwth-Z-\-a-Þ-e-¯n-tebv¡vp ]I
À¶p sImSp-¡m-\pÅ iàn kn\n-a-bpsS s]«-¶pÅ {]Nm-c-W-¯n\p Hcp Imc-W-amsW¶p tXm¶p-¶p.
kn\na Hcp Ie am{XaÃ, Hcp hyhkmbw IqSnbmWvp F¶pÅXmWvp bmYmÀ°yw. P\
{]oXnbpÅ Ne¨n{X§Ä \nÀ½n¡pIsb¶pÅXvp Cu hyhkmb¯nsâ \ne\nev]nsâ
ImcyamWv. Hcp kn\na \nÀ½n¨p Ignªm Iptdtbsd ]Xn¸pIÄ FSp¯vp Htckabw
H«p hfsc kn\namimeIfn Znhkhpw aq¶pw \mepw XhW {]ZÀin¸n¡msa¶Xn\mÂ
e£¡W¡n\p t{]£Icntebv¡vp hfsc s]«¶vp F¯nt¨cmsa¶pÅ Imcyw kn
\nasb klmbn¨n«p−mhmw.
The PalmLeaf
Page 22
ae
na þIebpw Bkzm
hpw
ae-b
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kn-\na
Bkzm-Z- -\
\hpw
bmmf
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þ
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tNmZyw 3: aebmfkn\nabpw kmlnXyhpw
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BZy
ImeL«¯n¯s¶
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aaX
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aebmf¯nsâ
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kmlnXyk¼¯pambn
1931þÂ
BÀ.
kpµÀcmP³
"amÀ¯mÞhÀ½’bneqsS XpS§nb _Ôw ]n¶oSv Ddq_v, XIgn, hb-emÀ, H.-F³.-hn.,
_joÀ, Fw.Sn. XpS§nb {]ikvXkmlnXyImc·mcpw cmap Imcym«v, ASqÀ, `cX³,
Achnµ³, ]ßcmP³, sI. Pn. tPmÀPv XpS§nb {]Kev`kn\nam kwhn[mbIcpw
XpSÀ¶p sIm−p t]mIp¶p.
Cu ]ckv]c_Ôw sIm−vp aebmfkn\nabv¡pw aebmfkmlnXy¯n\pw D−mb t\«
§sfs´ms¡bmWv?
s\Sp-apSn thWp
tIheamb
IY
] d ¨ n e n \ ¸ p d w,
Npäp]mSpIsfbpw
k a q l s ¯b p w
IpSpw_PohnXs¯bpw hyàn_Ô§sfbpw Bg¯n hymJym\n¡m³ {]apJcmb
kmlnXyImc·mcpsS cN\IÄ¡p iànbp−vp. AXpsIm−vp, A¯cw kn\naIsf
Bkv]Zam¡n Hcp¡p¶ kn\naIÄ¡pw Hckm[mcWXzw ssIhcp¶p. hyXykvXamb
t\mhepIfpw IYIfpw tXSn¸nSn¡m\pw, hmbn¡m\pw th−{X HuÕpIyanÃm¯ km
[mcW¡mÀ¡vp, IrXlkvXcmb ]e kmlnXyImc·mscbpw ]cnNbs¸Sp¯ns¡mSp¯p
F¶pÅ [À½w \nÀÆln¡m\pw A¯cw kn\naIÄ¡p Ignªp. sN½o³, Hmfhpw
Xochpw, \nÀ½meyw, Hmt¸mÄ, A\p`h§Ä ]mfn¨IÄ, apds¸Wvp, XIc, Xpem`mcw, Ac
\mgnIt\cw F¶n§s\ ]ns¶bpw ]ns¶bpw HmÀ¡mhp¶ kn\n-a-IÄ \ap¡p In«nbXvp
kmlnXyambpÅ kulrZw sIm−mWvp.
_me-N-{µ-ta-t\m³
CXnÂ
t\«¯nsâbpw
tIm«¯nsâbpw
{]iv\ w
DZn¡p¶nÃ.
a\Êns\
BIÀjn¡p¶sX´pw Zriyh¡cn¡m\pÅ kzmX{´yw Ne¨n{XIemImc\p−v. AXvp
t\mhentem, IhnXbntem, \mSIhpw BImw. ]t£ hfsc Bg¯n a\Ên ]Xnª
H¶v Zriyh¡cn¡pt¼mÄ DÅ {]iv\w, AXp sN¿p¶ kwhn[mbIsâ km[yX
IqSp¶p F¶p am{Xw.
thWp \mK-hÅn
aebmfkn\nabv¡vp
aebmfkmlnXyw
sIm−vp
Xoˬbmbpw
t\«§fp−mbn.
aebmfkmlnXy¯n\p kn\na sIm−p t\«§fp−mbn F¶p ]dbm\mhnÃ. hmb
\mioe¯ntebvs¡¯n¡m³ Ipds¨ms¡ kn\na klmbn¨ncn¡mw.
iyma-{]-kmZv
hÃt¸mgpsa¦nepw {]kn²kmlnXyIrXnIÄ kn\nabv¡vp klm-bam-bn-«p-−vp. aebmfkn
\nabpsS s]mXp{]hWXbmbn CXns\ ImWm³ h¿. kn\naIÄ¡pth−n X«n¡q«n
D−m¡p¶ ‘IY’Ifn \n¶pw XoÀ¨bmbpw Bghpw ]c¸pw hyàamb Hcp
PohnXmht_m[w {]Imin¸n¡p¶hbpw Bhpw C¯cw krjvSnIÄ Fs¶\n¡vp kwib
anÃ. kn\nabpsS `mj B[p\nIkmlnXy¯nsâ idiom D−m¡nsbSp¡p¶XnÂ
Hs«m¶paà klmbn¨n«pÅXvp. hfsc hniZamb, academic Bb Hcp ]T\w C¡mcy¯nÂ
Bhiyap−v. Øe]cnanXnbpsS `oXnaqew Rm\Xn\p Xp\nbp¶nÃ. C¯cw {ia§Ä
hfsc Ipdªp hcnIbmWv C¶s¯ kn\nabn F¶vp kwibanÃ. \Ã
Fgp¯pImÀþXnc¡Y/kw`mjW cNbnXm¡Äþ \½psS kn\nabn D−mhp¶nÃ
The PalmLeaf
Page 23
ae
na þIebpw Bkzm
hpw
ae-b
-bm- -k
kn-\na
Bkzm-Z- -\
\hpw
bmmf
knn\
þ
Hcp Nˬ
F¶XmWvp kXyw.
tUm. kt´mjv ]nÅ
ASn-Øm-\-]-c-ambn kmln-Xyhpw kn\n-abpw hfsc hyXy-kvX-§-fmb am²y-a-§-fm-Wvp.
Hcp kmln-Xy-IrXn hmbn-¡p-¶-bmÄ kz´w a\Ên IYm-X´p Nn{Xo-I-cn-¨n-«mWvp BkzZn-¡p-¶-Xvp. Hmtcm hmb-\-¡m-c\pw hn`n-¶-amb coXn-bn-emImw IYm-]m-{X-§sf a\-ÊnÂ
k¦-ev]n-¡p-¶-Xvp. F¶m kn\n-a-bn-em-Is«, FÃm t{]£-IÀ¡pw th−n Hcp Nn{Xo-I-cWw BWv Ah-X-cn-¸n-¡p-¶-Xvp. AXm-bXvp hnhn-[-t{]-£-IÀ hnhn-[-co-Xn-bn Hcp IYm-]m{Xs¯ k¦ev]n¡p-hm-\pÅ km[yX Xosc Ipd-hm-Wvp. DZm-l-c-W-¯n\p, sN½o³ F¶
kn\na ImWp¶ FÃm t{]£-Icpw ]co-¡p«n F¶ IYm-]m-{X-¯n\p \evIp¶ apJw a[p
F¶ \S-tâ-Xm-Wv. F¶m XI-gn-bpsS t\mh hmbn-¡p¶ Hmtcm hyànbpw ]co-¡p«nsb k¦-ev]n-¡p-¶Xvp hnh[ cq]-§-fnepw apJ-§-fnepw Bbn-cn-¡mw.
kn\nabpw kmlnXyhpw X½nepÅ _Ôw sIm−vp ]ckv]cw {]tbmP\w D−mbn«p−vp.
Fw.Sn., XIgn, hbemÀ, H.F³.hn. XpS§nb H«\h[n Fgp¯pImcpsS IrXnIsf P
\IobhÂIcn¨vp hmb\mioew CÃm¯hcn¡qSn F¯n¨p F¶pÅXvp kmlnXy¯n\p
In«nb Hcp t\«amWv. Ipsdtbsd \Ã {]tab§fpw Xnc¡YIfpw Km\§fpw
aebmfkmlnXy¯n \n¶pw kn\nabv¡vp e`n¨n«p−vp. Ht¶mÀ¡pI: Hcp D¯a
kmlnXyIrXnsb Bkv]Zam¡n \nÀ½n¨ Hcp kn\na Hcp D¯a kn\na
Bbns¡mÅWsa¶nÃ.
tNmZyw 4: aebmfkn\nabpw aebmfnIfpw
BtKmfXe¯n Iemta·bv¡pÅ H«\h[n AhmÀUpIÄ t\SnsbSp¯n«pw, ‘hm\{]
Øw’ t]mse Kuch`mhapÅ aebmfkn\naIsf t{]mÕmln¸n¡phm³ C¶pw kz´w
\m«nse t{]£IÀ hnapJX {]ISn¸n¡p¶p. Nne {]ikvX IemImc·mÀ A`n{]mb
s¸«Xvp t]mse CXnsâ ]n¶nse ImcWw aebmfn t{]£IÀ¡vp s]mXpth klrZbXzw
CÃm¯Xp sIm−msW¶vp Xm¦Ä IcpXp¶pt−m?
s\Sp-apSn thWp
t\cwsImÃn kn\naIÄ am{Xw I−p ioen¨ P\§Ä, Ipsd¡qSn BkzmZ\£aX
Bhiys¸Sp¶
IemkrjvSnIÄ¡pt\sc
apJw
Xncn¡p¶Xvp
kzm`mhnIamWv
FhnsSbmbmepw. aäp Iemkmwkv¡mcnI cwK§fnepw CXvp _m[IamWv. F¦nepw
`mcX¯nse aäp {]mtZinI`mjm kn\naIsf At]£n¨vp \½psS I¨hSkn\naIÄ t]m
epw Ne¨n{X]cambpw kuµcy]cambpw tate¡nSbn¯s¶bmWv. IqSpXÂ
sk³kn_nÄ kn\naIÄ XmcXtay\ ChnsSbp−mhp¶Xvp aebmfnbpsS DbÀ¶
BkzmZ\ \nehmcw sIm−p Xs¶bmWv.
_me-N-{µ-ta-t\m³
aebmfnIfpsS BkzmZ\ \nehmcs¯¸än F\n¡p aXn¸mWpÅXvp. Fsâ Ignª 25
hÀj¡me¯n\nSbn Hcp Nn{Xw t]mepw dneokmbt¸mÄ _meN{µtat\msâ Hcp ]Sw
“kn\nabpsS `mj B[p\nIkmlnXy¯nsâ idiom D−m
¡nsbSp¡p¶Xn Hs«m¶paà klmbn¨n«pÅXvp. hfsc
hniZamb, academic Bb Hcp ]T\w C¡mcy¯nÂ
Bhiyap−v.”
þ iyma-{]-kmZv
The PalmLeaf
Page 24
ae
na þIebpw Bkzm
hpw
ae-b
-bm- -k
kn-\na
Bkzm-Z- -\
\hpw
bmmf
knn\
þ
Hcp Nˬ
C¶se I−p, klnbv¡m³ h¿, ]t£ F´m If£³? F¶ HchØ h¶n«nÃ.
Fsâ BÄ¡mÀ CjvSs¸« kn\naIsfms¡ hnPbn¨p F¶Xp F\n¡vp Bizmkw
Xcp¶p. AhmÀUp Nn{X§Ä¡v FXnsc aebmfn ]pdwXncn¡p¶Xnsâ ImcWw AhmÀ
Up Nn{X§Ä F¶ \nebn Ah³ ]−p I− Nn{X§Ä Ahsâ a\Ên D−m¡nb
s]mSn¸mWv. NqSpshůn hoW ]q¨ ]¨shÅw ImWpt¼mgpw Adbv¡p¶p. A{X
Xs¶.
thWp \mK-hÅn
c−pXcw Nn{X§tfbpÅp. \Ã kn\nabpw No¯ kn\nabpw. BÀ«p^nenapw sImta
gvky ^nenapw kn\namcwKs¯ tcmK§fmWv. BÀ«v^nenansâ ]cnthjapÅ Nn{X
§Ä X§fptSXà F¶vp Btcm \½psS t{]£Isc ASnt¨Â¸n¨ncn¡p¶p. AhcmWv
Cu ØvXn¡vp D¯chmZnIÄ.
iyma-{]-kmZv
Cu kqNn¸n¨ kn\nasb¡pdn¨vp Rm³ Hc`n{]mb{]IS\w \S¯p¶nÃ. s]mXpth hnt\m
Z{][m\amb Nn{X§Ä ImWm\mWv km[mcW BfpIÄ CjvSs]Sp¶Xvp F¶p
tXm¶p¶p. F¶m BgapÅ, DbÀ¶ A`ncpNn Bhiys¸Sp¶ kn\naIÄ, AXnsâ
Xs¶ A´ÀapJXzhpw Im]Syhpw sIm−v t{]£Icn \n¶p Zqsct¸mbn«p−v.
BÀÖhapÅ, Xo£vWamb cN\IÄ BWvp th−Xvp. Cu hyXykvXcN\Isf promote
sN¿m\dnbmhp¶ Hcp marketing strategy, CtXmsSm¸w t{]£Ikaql¯n Hcp t_m
[hXvIcWw. C¯cw ka{Kamb Hcp kao]\¯nt\ Fs´¦nepw amä§fp−m¡m\mhq.
tUm. kt´mjv ]nÅ
temtIm¯camb ¢mÊn¡v F¶vp hntijn¸n¡mhp¶ Hcp kn\na C¶phsc
aebmf¯n D−mbn«pt−m? AhmÀUp kn\naIÄ ]eXpw Htc t^mÀamän AtÃ
\nÀ½n¡p¶Xvp? Ipsd AhmÀUp kn\naIÄ I−v Cu t^mÀamäv aSp¯p Ignª t{]£
s\ Ipäw ]dªn«v Imcyapt−m?
tNmZyw 5: C¶s¯ AhØ
Sn.hn. kocnbepIÄ, hoUntbmþtI_nÄþD]{KlsSenhnj³ iywKe hgnbmbn hcp¶
adp\mS³ kn\naIÄ, C¡n-fn-þ-^mâkn kn\n-a-I-fpsS AXn-{]-kcw XpS§n aebmfkn
\namhyhkmbw C¶p t\cnSp¶ shÃphnfnIÄ At\Iw. Cubhkc¯n \½psS kn
\na Hcp {]Xn-k-ÔnbnemsW¶v Xm¦Ä IcpXp¶pt−m? Ds−-¦n AXn-\pÅ t]mwh-gnIÄ Fs´m-s¡-bmWv?
s\Sp-apSn thWp
F¡mehpw Ht«sd {]XnkÔnIfneqsSbmWv kn\na IS¶pt]mbn«pÅXvp. F¶mÂ,
C¶s¯ \½psS kn\nabpsS {]XnkÔn Ipsd¡qSn k¦oÀ®amWv. IqSpXÂ
kuIcy§tfmsS, IqSpXÂ ]Ww apS¡n, IqSpXÂ hn]peamb hym]mckm²yXIÄ
ap¶n I−ps¡m−v \nÀ½n¡p¶ hntZikn\naIÄ ho«nse kµÀiIapdnIfn sNdnb
ImgvNs¸«nIfneqsS F¯p¶ Imew. IpSpw_¯nsâ NphcpIÄ¡pÅn¯s¶
HXp§p¶ t{]£sâ Ne¨n{XIuXpIw. A\pZn\w hÀ²n¨p hcp¶ ssZ\wZn\
NnehpIÄ. sImSp¡p¶ ]W¯n\p KpWta·bpÅ hkvXp¡Ä IrXyambn
In«ns¡mÅWsa¶p imTyw ]nSn¡p¶, hfÀ¶phcp¶ D]t`màr kwkv¡mcw. C¶p
Hcp aebmfkn\na aÕcnt¡−Xvp asämcp aebmfkn\natbmSÃ, aäp {]mtZinIkn
\naItfmSpw temIkn\natbmSpw Xs¶bmWv.
The PalmLeaf
Page 25
ae
na þ Iebpw Bkzm
hpw
ae-b
-bm- -k
kn-\na
Bkzm-Z- -\
\hpw
bmmf
knn\
þ
Hcp Nˬ
aebmfkn\na {]XnkÔnbnemWv. am\pjnI aqey§Ä¡p
hnebp−mIpt¼mÄ Xncn¨phcpw. ØnXn amdpw. AXphsc
Im¯ncn¡mw.
þ thWp \mK-hÅn
\½psS Ne¨n{X {]ZÀi\imeIfpw kwhn[m\§fpw Imem\pIqeambn ]cnjv¡cn
¡s¸tS−Xp−v. ]gbXmcn¸pIfn \n¶phn«v, ]pXnb ]pXnb hnjb§fntebv¡pw
Bhnjv¡mc ]cky X{´§fnte¡pw Ne¨n{Xhpambn _Ôs¸«hcpsS {i²bpw ]cn
{iahpw Bhiyambn hcp¶p. BÀ¡pw Ibdn hnfbmSmhp¶ ØeamWp kn
\namcwKsa¶
kao]\w
amdWw.
Ct¸mÄ,
kn\nabnÂ
{]hÀ¯n¡p¶
FÃmhn`mK§Ä¡pw {]tXyIw {]tXyIw kwLS\Ifp−v. FÃmhcpw H¶n¨pcp¶p, kn
\nabpsS km¼¯nIhpw KpW]chpamb hi§sf¡pdn¨vp NÀ¨sN¿pIbpw ]eXpw {]m
hÀ¯nIam¡pIbpw thWw. CXns\ms¡ ]pdsa C{Xtbsd hcpam\ap−m¡n¯cp¶
kn\nabpsS t{ibÊn\mbn kÀ¡mÀ IqSpX {i²bpw kabhpw sNehgn¡Ww.
A§s\, hniZamb hniIe\¯n\p hnjbamt¡−XmWv Cu hnjbw.
_me-N-{µ-ta-t\m³
kn\nabpsS {]XnkÔn¡vp C¸dªsXm¶pw ImcWaÃ. sX§pw Ihp§pw H¯p
\n¡p¶Xp t]mse, Hcp]mSvp kzÀ®ISIÄ Hcpan¨p hym]mcw sN¿p¶pXp t]mse
FÃmw \St¶mfpw. {]XnkÔn¡p ImcWw then Xs¶ hnfhvp Xn¶p¶XmWv. ]t£
B hnjbw ChnsS {]Xn]mZn¨psIm−p \nÀ¯p¶p.
thWp \mK-hÅn
aebmfkn\na {]XnkÔnbnemWv. am\pjnI aqey§Ä¡p
Xncn¨phcpw. ØnXn amdpw. AXphsc Im¯ncn¡mw.
hnebp−mIpt¼mÄ
iyma-{]-kmZv
sSenhnj³ kn\nasb D]-Po-hn¨v s]mbvs¡m−ncn¡p¶ Imew aebmfw sSenhnj³
am²ya¯n\p−mbncp¶Xvp C¶vp amdnbncn¡p¶p. C¶s¯ km[mcW kn\nabv¡vp
sImSp¡m\mhm¯ Nne LSI§ÄþIY, hnImc§Ä performance- \pÅ space - CsXÃmw
Hcp ssZ\wZn\ ss\c-´-cy-t¯msS sImSp¡p¶Xn\memw kocnbepIÄ C{Xtbsd P\
{]oXnbmÀÖn¨Xvp. Gähpw ‘Xd’ ¢mÊpImsc am{Xw Dt±in¨vp kn\na Cd§m³
XpS§nbt¸mÄ ‘a[y[mc’ kn\nabpsS ap³ {]hÀ¯Icpw t{]£Icpw sSenhnj
\ntebv¡vp XncnªXp kzm`mhnIw. No¯ kn\nabmsW¦nepw t\cw t]m¡n\mbn I−p
Ifbmw F¶ at\m`mhw t{]£IÀ Dt]£n¡pIbmWv BZyw th−Xvp Fs¶\n¡p
tXm¶p¶p. H¸w F´p sN¿mw F¶pÅ film making community- bpsS ImgvN¸mSpw amdWw.
tUm. kt´mjv ]nÅ
C¸dª shÃphnfnIÄ kn\nasb¶ am²yaw BtKmf]cambn t\cnSp¶hbmWv.
X\na (originality) DÅ Bib§Ä Xncªp]nSn¨vp, hnIkn¸ns¨Sp¯vp, Iemta·bpw hn
t\mZkm²yXIfpw Htct]mse ssIhcn¡m³ IgnhpÅ kn\nabp−mIWw. Ah
BhnjvIcn¡m³
IgnhpÅ
kwhn[mbIcpw,
Ombm{KmlIcpw,
Nn{Xk¦e\
hnZKv²cpsSbpw XeapdIÄ Hmtcm ]¯ncp]Xvp hÀj§Ä IqSpt´mdpw DbÀ¶ph¶p
sIm−ncn¶m aebmfkn\nabpsS `mhn `{Zambncn¡pw.
The PalmLeaf
Page 26
Astrolgy has had a bearing in our lives in more ways than one. Be it a marriage, a new born or
even a new job, we are eager to find out what the stars lay in store for us…
Is astrology just a living or hobby for some or is there actually a science behind it.
Dr. V.B. Panicker comes to our rescue and explains the science in astrology.
determining future events.
Astrology
A
strology is the study of the movements of
celestial bodies and their influence on life
on earth. From very ancient times, man
believed that planets and stars controlled his fate
by virtue of their positions at the time of his birth.
Almost all the ancient civilizations studied astronomy and practised astrology in their own unique
way. Inspite of this, each of these different systems
shared several common aspects.
Astrology, which includes astronomy, was considered as one of the six Sastras (Vedangas) in ancient India. Vedanga Jyothisa, Samhitas of
Parasara, Brigu, Varahamihira’s Brhat Jathakam
and others are scriptures that deal with astrology.
Indian astrology consists of six divisions: Ganitham,
Golam, Jathakam, Prasnam, Nimittam and Muhurtham. The first two divisions deal with mathematics and astronomy. Jathakam predicts the future based on the positions of planets at the time of
birth. Prasnam tells of the experiences in present
and the immediate future according to the current
positions of the planets. Nimittam foretells the outcome of an attempt based on the natural omens
encountered. Muhurtham estimates the auspicious
time for the performance of an act.
Astrology and Science
The scientific community in general is averse to
the recognition of astrology as a scientific discipline. It maintains that the celestial bodies have no
influence on human destiny and hence predictions
are only conjectures, which are illogical and full of
contradictions. Although in some instances, by pure
chance, a few of these predictions have come true,
these have no scientific basis. The effect of the sun
and moon on tides is one of the examples cited as
proof of the influence of the planets on the human
body (which has water as its major component).
However, this is considered inadequate to substantiate the relevance of the positions of the planets in
The PalmLeaf
The purporters of astrology, on the other hand, argue that the Science is no longer considered deterministic. It is probabilistic as is astrology. All scientific studies have a predictive part and astrology is
not an exception. It would have been subjected to
verification over long periods of time and may have
to be refined by further studies. The sage Valmiki
has provided us with the horoscope of Lord Rama
in the Ramayana. According to astrology, despite
five planets occupying their highest positions at the
time of Lord Rama’s birth, the position of Mars in
the seventh house of Lagna resulted in miserable
occurrences in his marital life. Such proofs are often quoted to justify the practice of astrology. Astrology is now an integral part of social belief and
consequently it will continue to be practised. It
therefore seems advisable to encourage study and
research into astrology before its outright dismissal.
Panchangam (Almanac)
The word ‘Panchanga’ represents five types of astronomical data: the weekday, star (nakshatra),
Tithi (the changing phases of the moon), Karana
(associated animal instinct) and Nithya Yoga (the
relative position of the sun and moon).
The weekdays are named after the seven planets: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and
Saturn. The ancient Indian astronomers have identified 27 stellar groups, almost evenly spaced along
the ecliptic (the sun’s path at equinox). These stars
maintain their relative positions fixed in space while
the planets shift their positions.
Each of the 27 constellations of stars (Nakshatras)
is described by the apparent shape formed by the
distribution of stars in the group. The moon completes a revolution around the earth in 27.3 days.
However as the earth also moves simultaneously in
its orbit, the period from new moon to new moon is
about 29.5 days. The time interval during which the
Page 27
moon appears to be aligned with a star group is
considered as that Nakshatra. The period between
new moons is called Lunar month. Some of the
Arab communities follow the Lunar month and
year. The Lunar months are named after the star
at the Full Moon day of that month (e.g. Aswin,
Karthika, Marga Sirsha, Pausha etc.).
A Solar day is calculated either from midnight to
the next midnight or from sunrise to the next sunrise; the latter is generally followed in astrology. A
solar year was originally taken to be 360 days.
Hence, a circle representing one rotation was divided into 360 Bhagas (degrees). A solar day is
divided into 60 Nadikas and each Nadika is divided into 60 Vinadikas. Alternatively, a solar day
is taken to be of 12 Rasis. A Rasi consists of 2
Horas i.e. a solar day has a duration of 24 Horas
(The term Hora was adopted by the Greeks and is
now taken as an hour.)
A Solar day has six Rasis each for day and night.
The Sun moves over a Rasi in approximately 30
days. As the orbit of the earth is elliptical with the
Sun at a focus, the duration of the sun to traverse
a Rasi varies. The month is known after the Rasi
occupied by the sun. The 12 Rasis are named after the apparent shapes formed by the stars of the
12 stellar constellations (out of the 27 stars). They
are Pisces (Meenam or Fish), Aries (Medam or
Ram), Taurus (Edavam or Bull), Gemini
(Mithunam or Twins), Cancer (Karkatakam or
Crab), Leo (Chingam or Lion), Virgo (Kanni or
Maiden), Libra (Thulam or Balance), Scorpio
(Vrishchikam or Scorpion), Sagittarius (Dhanu or
Archer), Capricorn (Makaram or Sea goat) and
Aquarius (Kumbham or Water man).
The Indian concepts in astrology seem to have
also been adopted by the Greeks and the West.
Rasi Chakra
A Rasi chakra is a square with 12 minor square
segments on its periphery. The 12 Rasis are
marked clockwise with ‘Meenam’ at the top left
hand corner. It indicates the positions of the planets. The Panchanga gives the positions of the
planets at the beginning of each month. It also
gives the day and timing of changes of positions of
The PalmLeaf
other planets during the month.
At the beginning of every month, the sun enters
the Rasi of the month and the spatial Rasi appears
on the horizon with the sunrise. The actual position
of the sun in a Rasi depends on the date of the
month. In the middle of a month, the sun will be at
the mid-position of the Rasi.
The Rasi appearing on the eastern horizon at the
time of birth of a child is called the ‘Lagnam’.
In addition to the 7 planets, Indian astrologers
have included ‘Rahu’ and ‘Kethu’ ( the nodular positions of shadows of the earth and moon) and
‘Gulikan’, which is supposed to appear twice a day
(day and night) depending on the week day.
The word Rasi has been coined out of the first letters of Rahu and Sikhi (Kethu).
A horoscope will have the positions of the planets,
Rahu, Kethu, Gulikan and Lagnam marked in the
respective Rasis.
Rahu and Kethu occupy diametrically opposite
positions and they take 18 years to complete a
cycle (anti-clockwise). All the other planets move
in a clockwise direction. The sun takes one year to
complete a cycle and so too do the planets Venus
and Mercury. Mars takes about 540 days, Jupiter
takes 12 years and Saturn takes 30 years.
When the planets are farthest from the earth, they
are said to be in ‘Uccham’ (highest or apogee) and
their nearest positions are ‘Neechum’ (perigee).
The seventh position of ‘Uccham’ is ‘Neecham’ for
a planet. The Uccha Rasis for the 7 planets are:
Meenam for Venus, Medam for Sun, Edavam for
Moon, Karkatakam for Jupiter, Kanni for Mercury,
Thulam for Saturn and Makaram for Mars.
In the Rasi chakra, the planets have been assigned their own houses (Swakshetras). These are
Chingam for Sun, Karkatakam for Moon, Mithunam and Kanni for Mercury, Edavam and Thulam
for Venus, Medam and Vrischikam for Mars,
Meenam and Dhanu for Jupiter and Makaram and
Kumbham for Saturn.
The relationships among the planets are assumed
Page 28
friendly, equal or opposing depending on their natures. The Moon, Mercury, Jupiter and Venus are
said to be benevolent while the Sun, Mars, Saturn,
Rahu and Kethu are considered evil planets.
For the Sun, Jupiter, Moon and Mars are considered friends, Mercury as an equal and all other
planets as enemies. The moon has the Sun and
Mercury as friends and all other planets as equals.
Mars has Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon as friends,
Saturn and Venus as equals and Mercury as an
enemy. Mercury has the sun and Venus as friends,
the Moon as an enemy and all other planets as
equals. Jupiter has the Sun, the Moon and Mars as
friends, Saturn as an equal and the others as enemies. Venus has Mercury and Saturn as friends,
the Sun and Moon as enemies and other planets as
equals. Saturn has Venus and Mercury as friends,
Jupiter as an equal and the others as enemies.
A planet is most powerful when it is at its Uccha
Rasi and least powerful when it is at its Neecham.
In their own houses, the planets are moderately
powerful. A planet at the house of its enemy is very
powerful. A planet is also the owner (Adhipa) of its
own Rasi.
Bhavas and planets
Rasis counted from Lagna are numbered as Bhavas. The first Bhava is the Lagna Rasi of the horoscope. The 12 Bhavas are believed to control and
influence the following aspects given in their order:
Body, Education, Brothers, Mother, Sons, Enemy,
Marriage, Span of life, Fore-fathers, Employment,
Gain and Losses respectively.
relationship with other planets.
Dasas
The life span of a human being is assumed to be
120 years. This is distributed as Dasas as follows:
Kethu (7 years), Venus (20 years), Sun (6 years),
Moon (10 years), Mars (7 years), Rahu (18 years),
Jupiter (16 years), Saturn (19 years) and Mercury
(17 years). Each Dasa is further apportioned into
periods over which the planets in the above order
(starting with the Master of Dasas) are said to have
special influence (Apaharas). Dasas depend on the
star at birth.
Sphuta Kriya
To predict the effect of each planet it is necessary
to estimate the exact position of each planet in their
respective Rasis. This estimation is called Sphuta
Kriya. A Rasi may be divided into 3 (Drekkonams),
9 (Navamsakam), 12 (Dwadasamsakam) or 30
(Trimsamsakam) and the positions of the planets
may be calculated in these segments separately.
At the time of birth, the remaining period of the
Dasa at birth is calculated in proportion of the Nakshatra period remaining to the duration of the Nakshatra.
The effect of planets may often be contradictory
and a weighted, overall influence is difficult to be
assessed. In these circumstances, astrological predictions are likely to be inaccurate and diverging.
Similarly, the planets are also said to influence certain specific aspects as listed:
Sun (father), Moon (mother), Mars (health and
brothers), Mercury (education and relatives), Jupiter (sons and wealth), Venus (wife), Saturn (span of
life), Rahu and Kethu (grandparents). They are
called ‘Karaka’ planets.
In astrological predictions, the positions of the planets are assumed to have effects on the respective
aspects according to their nature and strength and
Dr. V. Balakrishna Panicker is a Retd. Principal of NSS College of Engineering Palakkad and Retd. Director of Fluid Control Research Institute of India.
The PalmLeaf
Page 29
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The PalmLeaf
Page 30
AN AUDIENCE WITH PADMINI
- Jayashree Panikker reports
P
admini Ramachandran is not only an exceptionally gifted
dancer with remarkable choreographic skills, she is also recognised in India and all over the world as a very talented
and successful actress. She is known for her creativity, intensity
and elegance. She also inspires all those around her with her
ingenuity, patience and her boundless energy. KALA members
had the rare opportunity of rubbing shoulders with her during a reception hosted in her honour on 16th September 2001.
She captivated the entire audience with her quick-wit replies to
questions asked by the audience, her friendly talk about her past and
present activities and her impromptu
singing and display of dance
“mudras”. It was quite apparent that in spite of all the glamour and glitter,
she is a very simple person, who wants to reach out to us – through the media of
dance and cinema.
Life and career
Padmini was born on 13th of December 1932 to late Smt. Saraswati Amma and late Sri Thangappan Pillai. She
is the only surviving member of the famous trio of sisters – Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini. Padmini was married
to the late Dr. Ramachandran Nambiar from Telliserry, Kerala.
Padmini started learning dance at the age of four. She had her Arangettam at the age of ten. Her very first
Malayalam film debut was in ‘Prasanna’, which was released in 1947. She also took part as Narada in
‘Paarijathapushpaapaharam’ followed by ‘Adhyapika’, ‘Ummini Thanga’ and ‘Kumaarasambhavam’. She has
altogether acted in thirteen Malayalam films. She also won the Best Actress National Award for her role in
‘Adhyapika’.
Padmini made her first appearance in Tamil films in the film ‘Marumakal’ in 1950. She has acted in two hundred
and fifty films, sixty of them were with the great actor Sri Sivaji Ganesan. Her other co-stars, among many, were
Sri M.G.R. and Sri Gemini Ganesan.
Padmini’s debut in Hindi films was in late Uday Shankar’s ‘Kalpana’ and went on to pair with the likes of Ashok
Kumar, Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor etc. Her hit films include ‘Raaj Tilak’, ‘Amar Deep’, ‘Vaasna’, ‘Kaajal’,
‘Mahabharath’, ‘Jis Desh main Ganga Behti Hai’, ‘Mera Naam Joker’.
On humanitarian grounds, Padmini has contributed to a long list of charitable causes.
She is a dancer of international fame who has received several awards including the Kalaimamani Award from
the Tamil Nadu government. Even the erstwhile Soviet Union released a postal stamp – a rare honour for an
Indian dancer – she is truly the proud daughter of Kerala. Padmini was also conferred the title of ‘ULAGANATYA
PEROLI’ meaning ‘World’s Torch Bearer’ by late Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer, the former Divan of Travancore.
Padmini is the founder director of ‘Padmini School of Fine Arts’ in New Jersey. This is a platform promoting Indian classical dance and music, primarily amongst the younger generation. Padmini is indeed a cultural ambassador spreading Indian Culture and traditions to different parts of the world.
When asked by a little girl at a function held in her honour elsewhere, as to why she chose to dance, Padmini
replied – “I love dance, breathe dance and live for dance”. This truly explains in a nutshell, who this amazing
lady is. We were extremely lucky to have her in our
midst.
The PalmLeaf
Page 31
W
e are living through unusually tense
times. First year of the 21st century has
already witnessed terrible events! Omens
are scaring. Times are uncertain. We have to carry
on regardless with our normal activities, with as much
normality as possible and so we gather around to
have our Annual Day with the same spirit with which
we have started out five years ago.
Our task at the moment is to give account of what we
as an organisation has been busy doing over the last
one year; as is the tradition established in the last
few years, the review actually starts with a brief description of the last annual day celebrations.
Fourth Annual Day Celebrations
Shri P.K. Vasudevan Nair, former Chief Minister of
Kerala kindly graced our Annual Day as chief guest,
accompanied by his wife Smt. Lakshmikutty Amma.
Shri Vasudevan Nair brought to us some insight into
the contemporary party-politics in Kerala, as he could
recount his personal experience during his long
eventful political career. On the cultural front, we
had a variety of items to entertain the audience:
Bharatha Natyam, instrumental music, Mohiniyattam,
Opna, Skit, Gana Mela, and disco. We were able to
present an impressive muscal "Onam", greatly enjoyed by the audience. This dance drama was presented entirely by the Kala Youth, with very little persuasion from the parents, and it enabled the audience to reminiscence the bygone era of Maveli, while
drawing their attention to the contrasting realities of
modern Onam, of poverty, hunger, strikes, the youth
and the old drawn into the miasma of drug and alcohol. What an audio-visual display depicting the journey made by Onam from the days of Maveli to the
modern Kerala, through the inimitable narration of the
famous Kuravan and Kurathi! All these followed by a
sumptuous feast! It almost seemed that the programmes staged by Kala could equal to that of any
other matured cultural organisation, which is a tribute
to the enthusiasm and talents of the Kala Youth and
all those participated in making the day truly memorable, and it echoed Kala's objectives through and
through.
The PalmLeaf
Fifth Annual General Meeting: In March our Fifth
AGM was also a great day for those who could make
it to the meeting, as it allowed the members to interact more. Though GM by nature is an occasion to
look at the serious organisational issues, than to
stage cultural programme on an elaborate scale, the
participants were not disappointed on the entertainment front too. Our membership now currently stands
at 58.
Summer outing. It is always a bit difficult to choose
an outing site balancing the scenic beauty, agreeable
weather and travel distance, from different points of
England from where our Members are expected to
start their journey and get back. This year we chose
to visit the Cotswolds. Though the weather during
the preceding days gave us reason to be apprehensive, it was not too bad on the day, as it was at least
dry for most of the day. As always, the enjoyable
company of friends and Kala family, variety food,
complemented the refreshing and expansive environment. The summer outing was a rewarding experience for those who were enterprising enough to
rise upto the challenge. What more one expects
from a group outing on a damp summer day! Better
than confined to the four walls on any count!
Garden Party - for all those who could not join the
Summer Outing to the Cotswolds there was a marvelous occasion to meet and greet the Kala Members
by joining the President's Garden Party the following
week. The weather was excellent thanks to the
prayers to Him who has control over such matters.
As always where there is warm hospitality and open
doors the party is great.
Distance or adverse
weather hardly deters the like-minded. What is more
pertinent was that we all had a spiritual attitude - the
more the merrier. The lawns of Linden Lea and the
golf course far beyond echoed with Malayalam,
Tamil and Hindi songs, well sung by a gifted few
and listened by many throbbing hearts. Young Kala
members were advernturous too - they participated in
eating competition - of various sorts, but we avoided
all adverse consequences by strict control, and every
one won some presents! With all such good and enjoyable gatherings, the "good-byes" stretch well into
the night or early hours of the following morning.
Page 32
Murali Nair
Mini meeting: Famous Malayalam Poet Prof. O.
N.V. Kurup had kindly graced our Mini Meeting this
year, and shared his experience as a poet and
teacher. As expected, we had a full-house to listen
this great writer and poet. You can read the special
feature we commissionec on ONV’s life and times in
the spring 2001 issue of The Palmleaf.
Reception for Smt. Padmini Ramachandran:
This year we had as an unexpected bonus in the
form of an occasion to host a reception to famous
malayalm film star Smt. Padmini, when she visited
London from New York in September. Smt. Padmini
spoke to us us about her memories and experience
during her acting career, which she started at a tender age, and about the Bharatha Natyam school she
successfully runs in New York currently.
On this occasion we were also able to arrange for a
special appearance by Mr. K.M. Raju and Smt. Latha
Raju, the famous malaylam play-back singers from
Chennai, who happen to visit England on their professional mission. They were kind to entertain us
with their melodious singing of popular old Malayalam cine-songs.
We in Kala have been extremely fortunate that in a
short period, we have had the good fortune of some
of the very best gracing our platform, viz. in the previous years Poet and Professor Madhusoodanan Nair,
Professor Vishnu Namboodiri, Professor and Author
Chemmanam Chacko, Former Chief Minister Shri P.
K. Vasudevan Nair and this year Prof. O.N.V. Kurup
and Smt. Padmini. We hope this good fortune will
continue for Kala, as more and more of those gifted
in the area of art and culture will continue to grace
our gathering and share with us their insights and
experience in the sphere of art and culture for the
benefit of our Young members.
Charitable activities: Apart from sticking to our
routine activities, Kala has raised funds for Gujarat
Earthquake Fund, which we have contributed through
the relief funds of Mathrubhumi, DEC and Seva International. There has been publication of this through
Mathrubhumi and Kala News as well as on our own
website.
The PalmLeaf
Sahitya Malsaram: Kala has organised in August a
"Sahitya Malsaram" with help from Indian Youth Association at Calicut to promote emerging young talents in Kerala. The winners of this competition will
be announced in the second week of December at a
function to be held in Kozhikode, Kerala. Winning
entries will be published in the future issues of Palm
Leaf.
Kala Sounds: To provide Sound for our inhouse
functions, some enterprising members have come
forward and started Kala Sounds through their own
private contribution, to Kala functions. Though this is
a private venture, the objective is to support Kala's
functions in an economical way. We wish this venture all success.
Palm Leaf: The proof is in the pudding, as they say.
There is hardly any need to write about a publication
which is in front of you. It will be satisfying for you all
to know that “The Hindu” (English daily) ran a complimentary article on this magazine, which you will
agree is a creditable endorsement.
Website: The progress of our Association can also
been seen through the development of our Website,
and we are trying to keep up with the technology to
keep us in the net.
Kala Library: We have been able to purchase a
collection about 400 odd Malayalam books from
the British Library during their stock-clearance.
This collection will be the beginning of a Kala Library. Though organisating a proper library will
be a challenge, like other activities we hope Kala
will be able to come up with a suitable solution.
Kala News As in the past Kala News continues to
act the channel of communication between the Executive Committee and the Members, and apparently
this is the only effective medium at present.
Though a review is never meant to delve into future,
as citizens living through troubled times, our thoughts
also stray into reflecting on the current state of the
world, and we pray for peace.
Page 33
KALA News and Views ++++ KALA News and Views ++++
An afternoon in the company of
Padmini
On September 15th KALA organized a reception
for Padmini Ramachandran, the renowned classical dancer and well-known film star of South
Indian movies. This star of yesteryears and the
only surviving member of the ‘Travancore Sisters’, continues to promote the richness of
South Indian dance forms - especially Bharata
Natyam. Her love and dedication to this art was
evident on the occasion by the manner in which
she mimed to the tunes of reminiscent songs
with dextrous hand movements and expressions. It is this love and dedication to dance that
also launched her film career. She spoke about
the various stages of her career and her involvement with current projects devoted to
dance and its promotion. It was an afternoon
that transported many in the audience to a time
when actors of an altogether different genre
dominated films. They were the giants of the
film world, Padmini being one among them,
whose histrionic talents have left indelible marks
on our minds.
A day in the Cotswold
Once the outbreak of foot and mouth disease
among the livestock was under control and areas of the countryside were gradually reopened
to nature lovers, KALAites headed for a day to
the lovely Cotswold countryside. The trip to the
Keynes Country Park, which took place on 14th
July, was meticulously organized by Dr Ravi
and Prabha Sekhar. The 14 family groups that
convened for the day explored the countryside
and sandy banks around the two lakes that form
part of the Country Park. A barbecue lunch followed by singsong sessions and a lively game
of cricket made an altogether fun day out.
KALA youngsters come out with flying
colours!
After a gruelling period of preparation and taking
examinations this summer, the coming of success is as sweet as nectar. The young members
of KALA, who sat their GCSEs and A-level examinations during May-June 2001, have come
out with flying colours. We congratulate Anju,
Bhavana, Gina, Prasanth, Sangeetha and the
The PalmLeaf
others (who have been too modest to let us
know) on their achievements and wish them the
best for the future.
KALA grows in strength
KALA has extended its membership by five
more families this year. This takes the membership count to 58 families. We extend a hearty
welcome to the newcomers and look forward to
their contributions in the next edition of the
Palmleaf and KALA as a whole!
The youngest member!
In addition to the new families that have recently
joined KALA, we have the youngest member
join us from the Raghavan household. Sudha
and Raghu became the proud parents of a second son, Anand, this June. Congratulations to
both of them and to Vivek who looks forward to
many hours of ‘brotherly’ fun.
A Library for KALA
If you are an avid reader of Malayalam literature
and have difficulty in finding enough books to
appease you, then you will not have to look any
further. KALA has acquired around 400 Malayalam books relating to language, text and course
books for undergraduates and other categories
from the British Library. This resource together
with any contributions of both fiction and nonfiction Malayalam books will go to provide the
beginning of a KALA library. The exact nature of
such a library and its modus operandi are still
under review. So, watch this space!
Summer garden party
With summer comes the prospect of outdoor
events. However, there is no event that can
outdo the summer garden party that is organized by Drs Sukumaran Nair and Sethulakskmi
at their residence. The party this year was on
21st of July. It was in a style of its own with an
unending supply of good food and the ’desi’ version of the BBQ with hot ‘dosas’ cooked outdoors on frying pans. The build-up to the next
meal of the day was through tug-of war competitions between the different age groups and the
exertions on the vocal chords of the many talPage 34
KALA News and Views ++++ KALA News and Views ++++
ented singers. The children enjoyed it and so
too the adults. The weather was kind too (I
believe, numerous prayers had been said on
this account!).
Charity Fund-raising for Gujarat’s earthquake victims
KALA’s members have also been busy with
activities to help the victims of the earthquake
that shook and crippled the Indian State of
Gujarat. KALA managed to raise approximately £3600 by organizing collections
among its members and their friends. The
money was disbursed through three charitable organizations with £1507.00 given to the
Mathrubhoomi Gujarat Fund, Kerala,
£1623.80 to SEWA International (Gujarat), U.
K and £500.00 to DEC (Red cross group) Gujarat Appeal, U.K.
Drs. Manoj Kumar and Remani also organized a fund-raising garden party at their home
in Yorkshire. Their neighbours, Mr & Mrs.
Beevers, aided them in this endeavour, which
included a mixture of English and Indian cuisine. It proved to be a very successful event
with nearly 300 people attending. The event
helped to raise over £1100. The funds have
been donated through SENSE International
to aid the Gujarat relief efforts. It is without
doubt that people have been incredibly generous and it is this attitude that has contributed to the success of the event. It also confirms the fact that in these uncertain times,
both Indian and local cultures can live and
blend harmoniously when working towards a
common cause.
Haridas wins Kerala
Kendram award
Kerala Kala Kendram Global Tourism Award
2001 has been awarded to Haridas in recognition to his work done towards promoting
tourism in Kerala. Haridas has set up a number of restaurants in and around London
which obviously helps in promoting Kerala
food and culture. He has also sponsored
various Kerala festivals in U.K. promoting
arts, culture and food.
KALA takes on the gentleman’s
game
The year also saw the all-encompassing
game of cricket waving its magic wand over
KALA. A first when large numbers of KALA
members including several new faces got together to play and cheer a game of cricket in
late August. This was due to the relentless
efforts of Preethi Gopinath and her family who
carefully organized the entire event. The
match was played between an all-adults team
captained by Dr Gopinath and a team of
youngsters ably led by Praveen Gopinath.
The venue was the famous Epping Cricket
grounds (cited in the Guinness World Book of
Records). The younger team demonstrated
that neither age nor the weather is a criterion
to playing ‘good’ cricket. They bagged the
rolling cup set up by KALA for a yearly confrontation and young Nathan was declared
‘the man of the match’. The physical exertions
of the day were rounded off with an enjoyable
meal at the Gopinath residence.
A ‘Nadikar Thilakam’ in the
making?
Congratulations to Praveen Gopinath who
won the Honours Award for Grade V in the
recently held London Academy of Music,
Drama & Art (LAMDA) examinations. He won
this award after being promoted by his teachers to Grade V directly from Grade I.
The PalmLeaf
Kala
Page 35
P·k m^eywtXSn…
tUm. ]n.sI. kpIpamc³ \mbcpambn Hcp apJmapJw
tZimS\¸£nIsf¸mse
P·tZikvarXnIÄ a\ÊnÂt]dn \S¡p¶
{_n«ojv aebmfnIfpsS sNdpkaqlw...
C§nhnsS ininc¯n aªps]¿pt¼mgpw
DÕh¸d¼nse hÀ®§fpw Ggnew]me¸qaWhpw
{]Úbn Pzen¨p\n¡p¶ Hcp XeapdbpsS Bßkv]µ\§Ä...
tIcfkwkvImc¯nsâ Xp¼¸q¡Ä hnScm¯ Cu XWp¯ XmgvhcIfnse
ta¨n¸pd§fn hfcp¶ Hcp CfwXeapd...
AhcpsS a\Ênse a¬sNcmXpIfntebv¡v
kmwkvImcnIss]XrI¯nsâ Aán ]IÀ¶p sImSp¡m\pÅ
B{Klhpambn ]nds¶mcp {]Øm\w...
B {]Øm\¯nsâ {]hÀ¯\§Ä¡mbn
P·\ntbmKwt]mse cmhpw ]Iepw ]WnsbSp¡p¶
Hcp Iemkvt\lnbpambn C¯ncn t\cw...
X¿mdm¡nbXv Fkv.]n. ]chqÀ
"en
³U³ eo'bpsS tUmÀs_Ãn hncÂ
AaÀ¯pt¼mÄ Xs¶ DÅn \n¶pw Ipsd
Ip«nIfpsS iÐ§Ä tI«pXpS§nbncp¶p. CXn
\nSbn hmXn Xpd¶Xv tUm. kpIpamc³
\mbcmWpv. Xebntebv¡v ]SÀ¶p
Ibdn¡gnª s\änbn CSwssIsIm−v apI
fntebv¡v XShns¡m−v AIt¯bv¡v
£Wn¨p. kzoIcWapdnbntebv¡v F¯nt\m
¡nbt¸mgmWpv t\ct¯ tI« iЯnsâ
ImcWw a\ÊnembXpv. Ccp]¯t©mfw
Ip«nIÄ Xdbn \nÝecmbn¡nS¶vp Hcp
bp²¡f¯nsâ cwKw A`n\bnbv¡pIbmWpv.
apdnbpsS Hcp hi¯mbn tkXpam[h³ Hcp Km
\w ]mSnt¡Ä¸n¨pv CuWan«pv, \nÀt±i§Ä
\ÂIp¶p. AtXkabw tkXphnsâ `mcy A
\nX Ip«nIfpsS ASp¯ Ne\§Ä
Nn«s¸Sp¯pIbmWvp. tkXphpw IpSpw_hpw
ap¶qdpssa bm{X sNbvXmWvp IebpsS t{]m
{Kman\mbn Ip«nIsf ]cnioen¸n¡m³v
F¯nbsX¶p a\Ênembn. ]mSp¶
apJ§Ä¡nSbn Ccp\qdpssa bm{X
sNbvsX¯nb cLphpw `mcy kp[bpw. C{Xbpw
Zqc¯p \n¶pw CXnsems¡ ]¦ptNcm³
hcWsa¦n Chscms¡ CXn kwXr]vXn
Is−¯p¶p−mhWw. apdnbnÂ\n¶pw ]pd¯p
IS¶p apät¯bv¡nd§n. At¸mgmWvp Hcp
kaqlKm\¯nsâ hcnIÄ apä¯nsâ
At§bä¯pÅ Hu«vluknÂ\n¶pw
HgpInhcp¶Xv {i²bnÂs¸«Xv. kv{XoIÄ
The PalmLeaf
Ipd¨pt]À AXn\I¯v ]m«p]mSn CuWw
icns¸Sp¯pIbmWs{X! CsXms¡ I−n«pv
Hcp sNdp IemaÞe¯nsâ e£Wap−tÃm
F¶ Iaân\p kpIpamc³\mbcpsS {]XnIc
Ww Hcp sNdpNncn am{Xw. hf¨psI«enÃm¯
{]IrXw. kwkmcw tI«mednbmw Cu sX¡³
XncphnXmwIqdpImcsâ a\Êv Ct¸mgpw
Bdmbncw \mgnIbv¡¸pdapÅ P\n¨phfÀ¶
{Kma¯nemsW¶vp. DuWnepw Dd¡¯nepw
IebpsS {]hÀ¯\§Ä Hcp X]kybmbn
sIm−p \S¡p¶ Ct±l¯n\vp ]ß\m`]pc
¯n\Sp¯pÅ IpetiJcsa¶ kz´w {Kmaw
Hcp lchpw BthihpamWvp. B {]tZiw P·w
sImSp¯ Xn¡pdnÈn kpIpamc³ \mbÀ,
IapId ]pcptjm¯a³ F¶o
IemImc·mbpÅ IpSpw__Ô§fpw
kwkmc¯n IS¶p h¶p. AsXms¡
a®nsâ KpWamsW¶mWvp At±l¯nsâ
hnizmkw.
Xncph\´]pcw saUn¡ÂtImtfPnse 1966
_m¨nemWvp ]Tn¨Xv. C¶pw ]gb
Iq«pImcpambn ASp¯ _Ôw ]peÀ¯p¶p
−pv. Ct¸mÄ {_n«\nse Xncph\´]pcw
saUn¡ÂtImtfPv AtÊmkntbjsâ {]kn
UâmWvp. Xncph\´]pcw saUn¡ÂtImtfPv
tKmÄU³ Pq_nen dnkÀ¨pv skâdn\mbpÅ
A´Àt±iobkanXnbnse {_n«\nÂ\n¶pÅ
{]Xn\n[nbmWvp.
Page 36
P·k m^eywtXSn…
tIcf¯nepw {_n«\nepw aäp
cmPy§fnepambn hym]n¨pInS¡p¶ iàamb
Hcp kplrZvheb¯nsâ DSabmWvp Ct±lw. e
−\nse¯p¶ Hcp kplr¯pw "en³U³ eo'
kµÀin¡msX aS§mdnÃ.
IemkmwkvImcnIcwK¯pÅ H«phfsct¸À
tIcf¯n kplr¯p¡fmbp−pv. IhnIfmb
hn. a[pkqZ³\mbcpw sN½\wNmt¡mbpw
hnjvWp\mcmbW³ \¼qXncn
XpS§nbhcpambn ASp¯_Ôw ]peÀ¯mdp
−pv.
saUn¡ÂtImtfPnÂh¨v Pq\n-bÀ Bbncp¶
tkXpe£v a nbm W v p
`mcy.
c−pt] cp w
HcnS¯mWvp {]mÎnkv, ktdbnse {^nwen ]mÀ
¡vp tlmkv]näenÂ. At±l¯nsâ kvs]jy
ssetkj³ ]oUnbm{SnIvkpw `mcybpsSXv
Hm_vkvsä{SnIvkpw. kpIpamc³ \mbcpsS FÃm
{]hÀ¯\§Ä¡pw t{]mÕml\hpw ]n´p
Wbpw \ÂIp¶ hyànbmWvp `mcysb¶vp
At±l¯nsâ hm¡pIfnÂ\n¶vp a\Ênembn.
ho«n\pÅnepw Hu«vluknepw D−mbncp¶
Hmtcmcp¯cpsSbpw Imcy§fn A\mbmtk\
{i²hbv¡m\pÅ Ignhv kuay{]IrXn
¡mcnbmb Cu BXntYbbv¡p−pv.
c−p a¡Ä. \ho\pw tlabpw. c−pt]cpw
IebpsS {]hÀ¯\§fn ]s¦Sp¡mdp−v.
amt\Pvsaâv I¬kÄ«âmb \ho³
Iebn¡qSn t\Snb kplrZv_豈 \ne
\ndp¯p¶Xn\vp {i²n¡p¶p−v.
saUn¡ÂhnZymÀ°n\nbmb tlabv¡vp s]
bnânwKnepw kwKoX¯nepw \r¯¯nepw \Ã
hmk\bp−pv.
kwkmcn¨ncp¶v kabw t]mbXdnªnÃ.
ASp¡fbnÂ\n¶pw \mS³hn`h§fpsS aWw.
FÃmhÀ¡psam¸w tNÀ¶p
DuWpIgnbv¡pt¼mÄ a\ÊntemÀ¯Xv
IpSpw_§fpsS Cu klIcWw aqew
Ip«nIÄ¡p−mIp¶ {]tbmP
\§sf¡pdn¨mWvp. AhÀ¡vp Ifn¡m³
Iq«pImcpw Xfcpt¼mÄ hn`hkar²amb
kZybpw In«p¶, ]e Krl§fnembpÅ
C¯cw H¯ptNcepIfn ]s¦Sp¡m³
hÀj¯n ]¯Ã A¼XpXhWbmbmepw
Ip«nIÄ¡vp Bthiw Xs¶. GXm\pw
hÀj§Ä¡p ap¼v ]ckv]cw I−n«pt]mep
anÃm¯ ChcpsS Cu DÕmlw I−t¸mÄ
tXm¶nbXv kpIpamc³\mbÀ¡pw asäÃm
AwK§Ä¡pw A`nam\n¡mhp¶ Ipsd t\«
§Ä BZys¯ A©phÀjwsIm−v
ssIhcn¡m³ Iebv¡pv km[n
¨ncn¡p¶psh¶mWvp.
The PalmLeaf
apJmapJw
]mweo^v: Iebv¡v cq]w sImSp¡pt¼mÄ a
\Ênep−mbncp¶ e£yw F´mbncp¶p?
kpIpamc³: {_n«\n ØncXmakam¡nbn«pw
tIcf¯nsâ IemkmwkvImcnIss]XrIw
ssIhn«pt]mIcpsX¶p XmXv]cyapÅ Ipsd
IpSpw_§fn \n¶mWvp IebpsS XpS¡w.
kam\Nn´mKXnbpÅ IpSpw_§fpsS
sI«pd¸pÅ Hcp irwJebmbn AXns\
hfÀ¯nsbSp¡Wsa¶pw ASp¯ Xeapdbv¡v
AhcpsS kwkvImc¯nsâ XmbvthcpambpÅ
_Ôw \ne\ndp¯m\pÅ Hcp D]m[nbmbn
AXns\ hnIkn¸ns¨Sp¡Wsa¶pw Bbncp¶p
R§fpsS {][m\e£y§Ä. \mSn\pw
kaql¯n\pw th−n kzbwIgnbp¶Xv
sN¿Wsa¶ B{Klhpw, Ip«nIÄ C¶sænÂ
\msf AhcpsS thcpIsf¡pdn¨v t_m[h
·mcmIpsa¶ Bßhnizmkhpw Hs¡ BWvp
IebpsS {]hÀ¯\§fn ap³Is¿Sp¡m³
Fs¶ t{]cn¸n¨Xv.
]mweo^v: BZys¯ A©phÀj§Ä sIm−v
Cu e£y§Ä ssIhcn¡m³ Ignªn«pt−m?
kpIpamc³: Hcp \Ã ASn¯d ]mIm³
XoÀ¨bmbpw Ignªn«p−pv. \à \nehmcapÅ
{]hÀ¯\w \S¯p¶ Hcp kwLS\ F¶
\nebnemWvp XpS¡w apXÂ Ie {]
hÀ¯n¨Xpv. AwK§fpsSbnSbnÂ\n¶pw ]pd
¯p\n¶pw DÅ apXnÀ¶hÀ¡pw Ip«nIÄ¡pw
AhcpsS P·kn²amb IgnhpIÄ
hfÀ¯nsbSp¡m\pÅ ]e Ac§pIfpw FÃm
hÀjhpw Hcp¡m³ Ignªn«p−pv.
]mweo^v amKkn³ XpS§nbXv Hcp t\«
amsW¶Xn kwibanÃ. AwK§fpsS
CSbnÂ\n¶pXs¶ \Ã \nehmc¯nÂ
FgpXm³ IgnhpÅ Ipsdt¸sc Is−¯m\pw
t{]mÕml\w \ÂIm\pw \ap¡p Ignªp.
Gähpw kt´mjw Xcp¶Xv tIcf¯nÂ
\n¶pÅ t{]mÕml\amWvp. HF³hn, kpKX
Ipamcn, hnjvWp\mcmbW³ \¼qXncn, hn. a[p
kqZ³\mbÀ, hn.sI.F³, am[hn¡p«n, sN½\w
Nmt¡m F¶nhcS¡apÅ H«phfsct¸À
amKkn\pth−n AIagnªp klmbn¨n«p−pv.
C¯cw Nne Imcy§fn {]Xo£n¨Xnepw
H«phfsc apt¶m«p t]mIm³ Ignªn«p−pv.
Cu hÀjw Aªqtdmfw aebmf ]pkvXI
§fpambn AwK§Ä¡mbn Hcp sse{_dn
XpS§m³ Ignªp F¶Xv asämcp t\«amWvp.
Page 37
P·k m^eywtXSn…
CXntebv¡mbn {]ikvX dnkÀ¨pv sse
{_dnbmb e−\nse {_n«ojv sse{_dn Cu
cmPys¯ {]apJ aebmfnkwLS\sb¶
\nebn Iesb Is−¯pIbpw
klmbn¡pIbpw D−mbn.
]mweo^v: aäp kwLS\IfnÂ\n¶pw
Iebv¡pÅ hyXymkw F´mWvp?
kpIpamc³: kvtIm«vemâv apXÂ tIm¬hmÄ
hsc NnXdn¡nS¡p¶ IpSpw_§Ä
X½nepÅ ]ckv]cklIcWhpw, Cu
Nn´mKXn Ip«nIfsS Xeapdbntebv¡v {ItaW
hym]n¨Xns\¯pSÀ¶vp AhcpsSXmb Hcp
kplrZvhebw cq]saSp¯Xpw IebpsS {]tXy
IXIfmsW¶p tXm¶p¶p. C¶nhnsS ]cn
ioe\w \S¯p¶ Cu Ip«nIÄ hfsc
Zqc¯phsc Xmakn¡p¶ Ccp]¯t©mfw
IpSpw_§fn \n¶pÅhcmWvp. Ignª
\me©phÀj§fmbn AhÀ ]ckv]c
kplr¯p¡fpamWvp. Cu sIm¨pIp«nIÄ
an¡hcpw Cu hmcm´yw Cu ho«n Xmakn¨v
Hcp Xdhm«nse A´co£w krãn¡p¶Xv
R§Äs¡ÃmhÀ¡pw Ht«sd kt´mjap−m
¡p¶ ImcyamWvp. ASp¡fbntesbv¡m¶p
t]mbn t\m¡q, tkXpe£vantbmsSm¸w F{X
A½amcmWvvp Hcp Xdhm«nse
ASp¡fbnset¸mse Hmtcm¶pw
X¿mdmhp¶sX¶vp! IpSpw_§Ä C§s\
Häs¡«mbn {]hÀ¯n¡pIsb¶Xv IebpsS
BZyw apXÂt¡bpÅ e£yambncp¶p.
]mweo^v: aäp kwLS\Ifn \n¶pw XnI¨pw
hyXykvXamb Hcp tamUenemWvp Ie {]hÀ
¯n¡p¶sX¶p tXm¶p¶p...
kpIpamc³: Cu tamUÂ Aev]w
hn`n¶ambncn¡mw. Hcp Imcyw Dd¸mWvp, ]pXp
abpÅ Bib§fpw hyXykvXamb IgnhpIfpw
Iemt_m[hpw kwLS\m]mShhpw DÅ Hcp
Iq«w AwK§fmWvp Iebn DÅXpv.
AhcpsSsbÃmw BßmÀ°Xbpw A²zm
\^ehpamWvp IebpsS ssIapXÂ.
]mweo^v: Ie elitist BsWs¶mcp tXm¶Â
H¶pc−p t]À ]dªp tI«n«p−v...
kpIpamc³: B tXm¶en\vvp bmsXmcp ASn
Øm\hpanÃ. PohnX¯nsâ an¡hmdpw FÃm
taJeIfnÂ\n¶papÅhÀ AwK§fmbp−v.
{]hÀ¯\§fn kÖohambn ]s¦Sp¡m³
Xmev]cyapÅ IpSpw_§fmbncn¡Ww
AwK§fmhp¶Xv F¶vp Ie \njvIÀjn¡mdp
The PalmLeaf
−pv. ]cn]mSnIÄ kwLSn¸n¡pt¼mÄ tIhew
ImgvN¡msct¸mse AwK§Ä s]cpamdm³ ]m
SnsöpÅXv R§fpsS Hcp ASnØm\
XXzhpamWvp. C¡mcW§fm ]cn]mSnIfnÂ
Hcp hÀjw ]s¦Sp¯v R§fpsS {]hÀ¯\
ssien I−p a\Ênem¡nbXn\p tijw
thWw IpSpw_§Ä AwKXzw FSpt¡−Xpv
F¶mWvp IebpsS Xmev]cyw. sI«pd¸pÅ Hcp
{]Øm\ambn apt¶m«p \o§m³ Cu \bw
klmbn¨n«p−pv.
]mweo^v: Iemcq]§fn A`ncpNn hcm³
{]tXyIamb ImcWw hÃXpw Dt−m?
kpIpamc³: Hcp IemImc\mIm³ th−{X
kzXkn²amb hmk\ F\n¡p−mbncp¶nÃ.
F¶m Hcp \à BkzmZI\mIm³ th−
Iemt_m[ap−mbncp¶p.. IYIfnbpw
kwKoXhpw BkzZn¡m³ sNdp¸¯nte
Cãambncp¶p. hnhmlw, IpSpw_w,
tPmen¯nc¡pIÄ F¶nhbv¡nSbv¡vp asäm¶n
\pw Imcyamb kabap−mbncp¶nÃ. \ho\pw
tlabpw kv¡qÄ{]mbw Ignªt¸mgmWvp F\n
¡vp ho−pw kabw In«n¯pS§nbXpv.
At¸mgmWvvp IhnX BkzZn¨p XpS§nbXpw
IetbmSpÅ Xmev]cyw ho−pw s]m«n
hnSÀ¶Xpw Hs¡.
]mweo^v: Ah-km-\-ambn Hcp tNmZyw IqSn.
ASp¯ A©phÀjt¯bv¡vp F´mWvp e
£yw hbv¡p¶Xv?
kpIpamc³: bqWnthgvknän hnZym`ymkw
Ignbpt¼mÄ \½psS bphXeapd
AhcptSXmb Hcp temI¯ntebv¡vp HXp§m³
{ianbv¡p¶p−pv. \½psS
kmwkvImcnIcwKhpambn XpSÀ¶pw AhÀ¡vp
k¼À¡w ]peÀ¯m\pÅ
Ahkc§sfmcp¡m³ ]cn{ianbv¡pw.
tIcf¯n DbÀ¶phcp¶ bphIemImc·msc
t{]mÕmln¸n¡p¶Xn\pÅ
thZnsbmcp¡p¶Xn\pw Ie Xocpam\saSp¯n«p
−pv. BZy]Snbmbn Cu hÀjw Unkw_dnÂ
{]apJkmlnXyImc·mscbpw DbÀ¶phcp¶
bphkmlnXyImc·mscbpw ]s¦Sp¸n¨psIm
−pÅ Hcp kmlnXythZn tImgnt¡m«ph¨p
\S¯p¶p−pv. hcpwhÀj§fnÂ
sXcsªSp¯ bphIemImc·msc
{_n«\ntebv¡vp £Wn¡Wsa¶ e£yamWvp
Iebv¡pÅXpvy
Page 38
I
apcn¡v-þ
]n.Fw.A en
Ip«n¡me¯v Hm¯p ]Tn¡msX
Hm¯p]Ånbn Dd¡w
Xq§nbncp¶t¸mÄ ‘samÃm¡’
Fs¶ Hcp apcn¡v F¶vp hnfn¨p.
shdpsamcp ]mgvacatà apcn¡vp.
hk´¯n ]qhWnªp
\nev¡p¶ apcn¡v acw \nd¨pw
X¯bpw Im¡ X¼pcm«nbpw tX³
IpSn¡phm³ hcpambncp¶p. Fsâ
hoSnsâ Ings¡ thenbn ]SÀ
¶p ]´en¨p ]q¯p\n¶ apcn¡v
Fsâ Iq«pImc\mbncp¶p.
The PalmLeaf
Page 39
¯nbmfpw ]IÂ
th\en³ NqSn\mÂ
I¯n¡cn¡p¶p
]¨¡pcp¶ne.
hmSnbpd§p¶
]qs¨Sn Zml¯mÂ
\ocn¶mbv t\m¼mÀ¶p
Xq§nbncn¡sh,
tI«p, Rm\mscs¶
XÃnbpWÀ¯p¶p
tIm«phmbn«pRm³
sR«nbpWcsh;
“t]«apcn¡p \o”
sNmÃn samábpw
“Hm¯p]Tn¡m¯
IÅ\mhp¶pthm?”
Nqcen³ NqsSsâ
ta\ns]mÅn¡sh
NqSpÅ _mjv]sa³
I®nepXcsh
Npäpancn¡p¶
Iq«pImscÃmcpw
s]m«n¨ncns¨s¶
hnUvVnbmbp ImWsh
thenbv¡p ]´embn
am{Xw hfcp¶
apÅpapcn¡nsâ
Nn{Xw, Rmt\mcsh:
càXpSn¸pÅ
]q¡fnÂtX\p®m³
hs¶¯pw X¯X³
]ms«m¶ptIÄ¡sh.
H¶n\pw sImÅm¯
]macsa¦nepw
B apcn¡mIphmþ
\mÀ¯n ]q−t¸mgpw.
X¶X³ ]mt«äp
tImcn¯cn¡p¶
apÅpapcn¡ns\
kvt\ln¨pt]mbn Rm³.
]qhnÃ, tX\nÃ
]macamWv Rm³
Fsâ aptÅämcpw
t\mhmXncn¡sW.
FsâboNnÃbnþ
enÃtÃm ]q¡fpw
aRInfnIÄ¡mbp
tX\qdn\n¸nÃ.
XWteIm³ Rms\mcp
BeÃ, ¹mhÃ
shdpsamcp ]mbvacw
apÅpapcn¡p Rm³.
IebpsS IqsS
‘Ie’bpsS
Hmtcm Ne\hpw Hmtcm kpIpamcIebmWv. tIcfobXbpw
hnizP\o\Xbpw H¶mhp¶ Hcp kvt\lZÀi\w AXnsâ {]mW
[mcbmbncn¡p¶p. Cw¥−nsâ hnhn[`mK§fn aebmf¯nsâ Xp¼bpw
Xp¼nbpw \mthmdpw ]ptÅmÀ¡qShpw ]q¡fhpw hnZymcw`hpw \ndame
NmÀ¯pt¼mÄ Ahbv¡vp GIkzcebw \evIm\pw Htc Xmf¯nÂ
Ahsb \n_Ôn¡m\pw ‘Ie’ {]XnÚm_²ambncn¡p¶p. kulrZhpw
kmtlmZcyhpw sIm−v hoÀ¸pap«n¡p¶ kpIpt¨«\mb {io. kpIpamc³
\mbcpsS IqsS, kt´mjnsâ IqsS, cmtP«³ F¶ \ScmPsâ
IqsSsbms¡ IebpsS BßNe\§fn ]¦mfnbmhm³ GXm\pw
Znhkw F\n¡p A\phZn¨pIn«n. B \ntbmK¯n Rm³ Xm{a]
À®nbpsSbpw s\¿mdnsâbpw \nfbpsSbpw PohkwKaw ImWp¶p.
‘Ie’
temI¯n\mbpÅ aebmf¯nsâ H¨bmWv, AwKhnt£]amWv,
apJkvtXm`amWv. ‘Ie’bpsS kÀKkwKoXnI aebmf¯nsâ Aactim`bmbn¯ocpw. XoÀ¨. R§Ä ChnsSbncp¶p A`nam\n¡p¶p, B
\µn¡p¶p. R§fpw IqsSbp−v.
kz´w
hn. a[pkqZ\³ \mbÀ
The PalmLeaf
Page 40