Inside a church in Kottayam |
The novel which I’m reading currently
is the English translation of the Malayalam Valli by Sheela Tomy.
It received rave reviews in standard publications and that is the reason why I
decided to read it. Having read about a hundred pages, I must say that it’s a
charming work. It’s musical. It’s a symphony. But I’ll write a proper review
after I read the whole of it. Right now, I wish to speak about the
conversations that a character named Varky has with his God, Jesus, whom he
calls Karthav (Malayalam for Lord). Varky is a drunkard. When he is drunk, he
becomes more chatty with his Karthav. In one of his final chats with Karthav,
before the deluge carries him away, Varky says, “Look at Him just sitting
there! After turning water into wine to vex people for evermore! It was your
Divine Majesty, wasn’t it, that made our Kalyani here (the woman who supplies
him with locally brewed liquor) spicy and poor Magdalena Mariam pretty? And
then you go around keeping tabs. Yes, Varky will own up, I have been falling
down drunk a couple of times. Maybe more…Don’t be pissed off with poor Varky.
My sin, my sin, my most grievous sin…”
I have found
myself talking to Jesus in similar ways quite often. I am not a believer in the
usual sense of the word. But Jesus remains as a very friendly and spiritual
energy somewhere deep down in my consciousness. I indulge in quite many
conversations with him – sometimes friendly and sometimes not so friendly. They
are the only prayers I ever utter. No religious person may accept my chats with
Jesus as prayers. For me they are prayers just because they soothe my soul like
nothing else can.
If I were
born in a Hindu family, it would have been Krishna instead of Jesus that got
all my spiritual attention. I like Krishna’s romantic side, you see. But if it
were Islam, I wonder who would have listened to my chats. Allah wouldn’t be
quite chuffed with sentences like ‘Don’t be pissed off…’ I have no problem at
all, however, with anyone praying to any god. My problem is when people get
pissed off with other people’s gods and prayers and rituals.
Almost some ten years back, I was there at Kottayam on an invitation of an NGO. That picture made me recall it, If possible I will read the English version. Review is interesting.
ReplyDeleteA proper review will come soon. They call it an eco novel. The forest is the protagonist, apparently. But I'm yet to get to that.
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteQuite so - "god" is, after all, a personal concept, our inner sounding board - and hidden counsellor. YAM xx
If only the fanatics and right wingers realized that!
DeleteHaha! A profound thought in your usual witty style. Enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteValli is on my TBR too. Waiting for your review.
I'm sure you will find Valli an enjoyable read.
DeleteThe last line is so true. Each to his own ...
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you started this book. Would love to know your thoughts once you complete it. Also I am so upset how misrepresented Islam is... trust me, Allah is way cooler than a lot of muslims out there.....
ReplyDeleteI've already completed the novel and here's my review.
Deletehttps://matheikal.blogspot.com/2023/01/valli-review.html?m=1