Tomichan Matheikal's blog

The last book I read is a novel, The Palace of Illusions , by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.  Like the Mahabharata, which is retold from the point of view of Draupadi, this novel has the potential to spark infinite thoughts in the reader.  Karna comes across in the novel as a man of nobility, loyalty, pride and, above all, uncomplaining acceptance of the injustices of his life.  Anger seethes within him and yet he is capable of great forgiveness.  Destiny was particularly harsh towards Karna.  He was born of a frivolous experiment carried out by Kunti who had not yet grown out of her childhood but was given a boon by the irascible sage Durvasa.  The boon was a mantra with which she could invoke any god and have a son by that god.  Kunti plays with the mantra even as a child might play with her new toy.  It is none other than the sun god whom she invokes.  Karna is the offshoot.  Terrified by the disgrace that might visit her for giving birth to a fatherless child, Kunti abandons

Book Review The Mahabharata is a complex work.  Gods, demons and human beings interact freely making us wonder what really distinguishes one from the other.  Who is good and who is bad?  What is morality?  What is dharma?  The fabulous epic does not give very clear answers to these questions.  Is the complexity and inscrutability an integral part of the cosmic plan that unfolds in a process which we cannot alter much?  In other words, are we puppets in that cosmic game?  Do we really have free will? Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s novel, The Palace of Illusions , is a retelling of the great epic from the point of view of Panchali, as Draupadi likes to call herself in the book.  The plot is the same.  The very same characters not leaving out the man-like gods and the whimsical sages.  The point of view is different and that matters pretty much. Panchali is a rebel in Banerjee Divakaruni’s retelling of the epic.  “Perhaps that has always been my problem,” Panchali tells us

The overpopulated Kerala is discovering new tourist potential.  Aqua Tourism is a promise given at Palaikari in the outskirts of Kochi.  The place has already built up a website though the actual spot is still being developed.  Virtual reality strides far ahead of real reality. Right now, before the virtual reality becomes real reality, if you are in search of some solitude in the marketplace, the place has much to offer. Some pictures from the place: Welcome Alone in a small boat with a plastic sail Neither company nor development is far off You can choose to be alone  There are people who make both ends meet even there A closer look at one such person (for whom neo-nationalism has no meaning) Solitude is still available, if you want Even solitude has to be paid for, however You are in one of the many boats, after all The bridge is not far  Even the bulldozer is not far! That bulldozer bit is a little personal exaggeration beca