O V Vijayan's "Katha"

"Tell me" the Prophet said "whats the matter with you"

"While my soul swells with pain and anticipation" He said "while an ocean of lust roars in the corner of her eyes..."

"Stop it ! you rascal" the Prophet thundered

"Oops !" he said

"Don't give me bullshit" said the Prophet

"Ooops !" he said " I dragged on, tired and defeated. I walked towards some corner of darkness, wailing. Towards darkness"

The Prophet eased up a little and gave a tender smile.

"What is your name?" the Prophet asked

"Character", he said

"Don't you know how to speak properly, you poor sonofabitch" the Prophet asked

"I do sir" he said "but my master wouldn't allow me to do that"

"Master ? who is that sonofabitch ?"

"The Writer", he said

The Prophet was thoughtful for a while

"Oh well..." the Prophet added "but I don't want to see your face in this village anymore, especially near that school where kids learn reading and writing. Now get lost !"

The Character, with a hurting soul and a weeping heart dragged himself into the confines of some chapter in some book.

Suggested read : O V Vijayan

Suggested rhythm : "Salt of the earth", Rolling Stones

You'll never die !!

I came to Vayalar with the first red rays of the morning - to meet you.

Those old days - days of commitment and sincerity,
in Cherthala when blood spread over the mud and loose sand.
When the flag was as red as blood, days of the martyrs.

I came looking for you on one of those days.
Amma served us rice porridge on that wooden patio
with the smell of flowers and snakes all around.
We ambled along those sandy lake shores.

One night Kalavamkodu Balakrishnan joined us - NSP Panicker too.
That night we wrenched out and broke one stupid idol
that stood by the algae filled green pond.

Years went by.....
You became the anthem of this land, our pride, our intoxication, our rythm.

Finally when you said 'so long' .....
those idols which never cried and we who only cried
- wept and wept for you.

You are the pride of this beautiful land, you'll always be.

You'll never die !!


Suggested read : Malayattoor Ramakrishnan, Vayalar RamaVarma

Suggested rythm : Chandrakalabham chartiyurangum theeram - Vayalar, Devarajan , kJY

the loveless tale of karma

... Long before the lizards, before the dinosaurs, two spores set out on
an incredible journey. They came to a valley bathed in the placid glow
of sunset.

My elder sister, said the little spore to the bigger spore, let us see
what lies beyond. This valley is green, replied the bigger spore,
I shall journey no farther.

I want to journey, said the little spore, I want to discover. She
gazed in wonder at the path before her.
Will you forget your sister ? asked the bigger spore.
Never, said the little spore.
You will little one, for this is the loveless tale of karma; in it
there is only parting and sorrow.

The little spore journeyed on. The bigger spore stayed back in the
valley. Her root pierced the damp earth and sought the nutrients of death
and memory. She sprouted over the earth, green and contended.

A girl with silver anklets and eyes prettied with surma came to
Chetali's valley to gather flowers. The Chempaka tree stood alone-
efflorescent, serene. The flower gatherer reached out and held down a soft
twig to pluck the flowers. As the twig broke the Chempaka said,
My little sister you have forgotten me !

Suggested read : O.V.Vijayan ,"Legends of Khasak"

Suggested rythm: Karmane balawanta maaye.,Saveri,chaypu - K J Yesudas - Thyagaraja.