Perspectives

Dear All

Read a moving short story "Kuruthi" of Jeyamohan which is posted in his blog recently (www.jeyamohan.in/?p=34372). Of late, I am getting addicted to this gentleman for his power of eloquence and .... and his sheer ability to make us literally see the story (as we read it).

(I actually had an animated chat with this man at his residence @ Nagarcoil - couple of days back.....of course in one of a nice dream)

In deed,  I am yet to understand his master piece (Vishnupuram) fully well but still there is an element of interest factor to keep reading it again and again. Having enjoyed few of his short stories, I have become a regular reader of his blog these days. 

Like the "ARAM" series - which he wrote couple of years back -  he has started writing simple and cute short stories once again during past few days.....

This particular story (Kuruthi) talks about perspectives of two individuals on their similar issue. 

The issue is on land ownership by lower caste people which - though is a bigger social subject - becomes quite sensitive in this story as both these gentlemen were directly affected by it.

The elder one spends most part of his life in jail for the double murders he commits very consciously (and quite patiently - after waiting upon for eight full years) mainly to avenge the higher caste people of his village. As the story starts off, the younger one at the jail reaches the village of his senior mainly to get inspired to do a similar act under sort of same circumstances. 

He searches for a while to locate the old man and at last gets the clue about his whereabouts......Seeing the plight of the old man lying all alone in his land in the outskirts of his own village, he is in fact dumb found and start wondering if it is all worth it......??!! He does not even mind thinking aloud to the old man about his thought process..

The story ends with the vengeful (you can hear his voice if you get involved with the story) voice of the old man who roars in justification of his action and literally slaps the confused man in front of him......"Live like a MAN....not like a pig or dog" ....leaving not just his friend alone - shocked, amused, puzzled.....(and also inspired....?)

One of the best stories that I read recently, I immediately got reminded of another short story of SUJATHA in his MADHYAMAR series where a son goes to his own village to meet his father to take lessons on being forthright and moral. 

Expecting pearls of life changing wisdom from his father who was known for his righteousness and strong personality, the son is shell shocked when his old father simply advises the son to accept the bribe - if offered. Another moving story - indeed....with equally justify-able logic and empathy.

Well, what's the moral from these contrasting stories from two different personalities of Tamil Literature.....??

Learning to absorb the perspectives and grow a bit more in empathy.....

Beginning to realize the grandeur of subjectivity......and the stupidity of rights and wrongs.....

What do you say ????

Love......// Suren