Papers by Manju Kak
A valentine for mrs. lamba
Indian Horizons, 2005
Book Reviews by Manju Kak
Revolutionary Kanu Sanyal ‘s life is what legends are made of. This author bravely undertook writ... more Revolutionary Kanu Sanyal ‘s life is what legends are made of. This author bravely undertook writing his biography in 2007, and recorded an arduous 121 interviews with the reclusive Kanu in his home environment of Hattighisha in Naxalbari. He says Kanu went through various chapters of the book (except the last which relates his suicide). Thus its claim to be the only ‘authorized’ biography of Kanu Sanyal, is credible.
The book is a slight but dense offering, which can be read in a couple of hours. Though Seth’s e... more The book is a slight but dense offering, which can be read in a couple of hours. Though Seth’s eye for translated verse is keen and some selections are extraordinarily evocative and taut, but not all are as inspired. The dialogues of the three protagonists are illuminating of the curious processes of the creative, vivid and meandering course taken before reaching fruition.
Okay, agreed that this is a memory lane book, but not just. For these stories have that indefina... more Okay, agreed that this is a memory lane book, but not just. For these stories have that indefinable quality of upliftment that marks writing that will survive a longer shelf life. Some stories painfully rend, as “Swimming Lessons” . But my own apocalypse came with “Lend Me Your Light”, the title taken from Tagore’s “Geetanjali”. It draws out the parameters of Percy and Jamshed’s friendship. Percy is the narrator Kersy’s older brother, (Kersy being the one who clobbers Francis with his cricket bat in “One Sunday”).
Freedom is an important book. Not only because it ‘s author was on the cover of Time magazine in ... more Freedom is an important book. Not only because it ‘s author was on the cover of Time magazine in August, and so is a `must read’. But because it does for these American decades what English novelists did for the early (British) 19th century society. In a similar straight-forward literary narrative it documents a typical American Life. Through its main characters it describes the sensibility of this period (Bush years and more); decades that lay much value upon `freedom’. It posits what freedom is supposed to be, and what it actually ends up as.
Narrated from the perspective of a child, the story unfolds Amma’s efforts to bring Bua back to s... more Narrated from the perspective of a child, the story unfolds Amma’s efforts to bring Bua back to sanity through the hakim’s ministrations till she ends up as a wreck of her former self, weak, unattractive, albeit sane. But when she can no longer do even household chores, she is discarded to live in the cow-shed to stink and rot as an aborted experiment while attention is turned to other affairs of the house, her tragedy perceived only by the sweepress and the child. These two all along know what the other women don’t, that Bua’s fearlessness is her strength, which gives her the elixir to be more than men, the same strength that other women envy.
In `Ships that Pass’ Deshpande explores the nature of grief in the voice of Radhika, younger si... more In `Ships that Pass’ Deshpande explores the nature of grief in the voice of Radhika, younger sister of the much loved and admired Tara or Akka. Grief can tear relationships apart, sometimes degenerating into a tortuous blame game. Tara’s marriage to sweetheart Shaan or Shantanu, begins to fall apart when their daughter Geetu dies of leukemia. Shaan writes to Radhika to visit to ease the pain. “It’s Tara. She’s not well, her arthritis is much worse yet she won’t see a doctor, she won’t let me tell you people about it, she won’t let me help her.” And Radhika obliges only to begin to see through the chinks of their marriage. Further mystery comes from Tara’s relationship to Dr. Ram Mohan, and Shaan’s with young widow, Rohini, till Tara’s assumed suicide and Shaan incarceration in prison for murder. But am I giving anything away? No, for the novella begins with the death and prison sentence.
In this changing scenario, the reprint of Janet Rizvi’s book, Crossroads of High Asia fulfills an... more In this changing scenario, the reprint of Janet Rizvi’s book, Crossroads of High Asia fulfills an essential space. Divided into accessible chapters designed to give a holistic picture of the districts to both the initiate and the informed. Rizvi’s own stay in Ladakh where her husband was posted as Development Commissioner provided her with valuable insight and access into various aspects of this hostoric kingdom. The author does not set out to provide new interpretations or analysis, but seeks to inform and in what the book’s parameters are, she succeeds. The canvas she discusses is varied moving from profiling the landscape to the creatures of the wild, legendary trade routes, polyandry and polo, and the Jesuit missions and gomphas that coexisted from the latter Mughal times. There is discussion on issues of language, an amazingly sophisticated irrigation system, development technology suitable to fragile ecosystems, etc. Of particular interest is the analysis on women in a society which traditionally awarded its female half, a high status. There is information on social customs such as older members moving into the lower house leaving the young people to manage, the absence of caste among Buddhist Ladakhis, and the fact of Leh being a major entreport, hence a melting pot of races and the wealth of oral literature.
In this lyrical book—a love letter to Iran, part history, part memoir, author and journalist, Ka... more In this lyrical book—a love letter to Iran, part history, part memoir, author and journalist, Kamin Mohammadi’s lucid, sparkling prose warms every page with passion and purpose to make this an unforgettable time to her country. Mohammadi, born in 1970, grew up in London when a longing for roots made her journey back . She reflects upon —what happened to Iran, how did lose its fragrance and colour to become this chador-obsessed society, cruelly crushing its women and with them every feminine impulse.
This well-researched book of the culture and social mores of Goa, embedded in Konkan geography an... more This well-researched book of the culture and social mores of Goa, embedded in Konkan geography and Portuguese conquest, will certainly find its way to the permanent archives that document those times. But, foremost, it will be remembered as a tribute of a daughter to a mother, and an elegiac remembrance of a father. Its essence can be best described as dukha, a Persian word for remembrance that we often also mistranslate as sadness.
This book under review hallmarks Verma’s mastery over this genre. In this coming- of- age novel,... more This book under review hallmarks Verma’s mastery over this genre. In this coming- of- age novel, a `Red Tin Roof’, his masterful pen dips into a palette of senses and repressed feelings, to describe a childhood unfolding into the bewilderment of adolescence.
literary essays and articles by Manju Kak
THOMAS MORE: You must respect the law, nothing is above the law. If the law is vio-lated then not... more THOMAS MORE: You must respect the law, nothing is above the law. If the law is vio-lated then nothing exits.
The Acharya: How can law come between man and his god? What is law but the collective wis¬dom of men? Yet, religion is the collective wis¬dom of the divine. How can a man's law rule upon the divine? If it is the janamsthan of Ram lalla, Ram lalla will come to it. A temple will be made.
As much as it was before, the fight is on between man and man. But more than ever it seems to be... more As much as it was before, the fight is on between man and man. But more than ever it seems to be amongst the peoples of the same country; amongst the ethnic population and the migrants, the indigenous and the settlers, over race, over way of worship. In the Indian sub continent it is highlighted in the Punjab, in Sri Lanka and over Baluchis and Mujahirs in Pakistan. An insight into the racial and historical background of this region is interesting, even if it acts only as an intellectual exercise.
They are just names now. Forgotten names. Instances in history. In the Parsee cemetery the sil... more They are just names now. Forgotten names. Instances in history. In the Parsee cemetery the silence of the graves which mark the lives of those who helped begin it all lie in sylvan surroundings oblivious to the thundering of the drill hammer and the frenetic activity that surrounds them.
In 1856, a year before the Mutiny, Governor General Dalhousie set the course of the Indian railw... more In 1856, a year before the Mutiny, Governor General Dalhousie set the course of the Indian railways in motion not knowing this encounter with technology would lead to whole scale massacre and carnage a century later.
travel by Manju Kak
So is it about finding my own path, asks my travel partner Bharti on our first evening together o... more So is it about finding my own path, asks my travel partner Bharti on our first evening together on Mahaparinirvan Special, a week-long train journey along the Buddhist Circuit covering Bodh Gaya, Nalanda, Rajgir, Varanasi, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Lumbini, Saravasti and Agra. We are two of 35 passengers — Japanese, Singaporeans, Australians, Indians, some tour operators, academics, and travel writers. I have been invited by Harmony to go on this journey, launched in October 2007 by the Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation with its partner Lotus Travels. On 17 November, after a traditional marigold garland welcome at Safdarjung railway station in New Delhi we are ensconced in Cabin B of the First Class AC section. We have already checked out the pantry and toilets. The toilets could be better, but the pantry is shining steel. And a Japanese chef will join us, we are told.
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Papers by Manju Kak
Book Reviews by Manju Kak
literary essays and articles by Manju Kak
The Acharya: How can law come between man and his god? What is law but the collective wis¬dom of men? Yet, religion is the collective wis¬dom of the divine. How can a man's law rule upon the divine? If it is the janamsthan of Ram lalla, Ram lalla will come to it. A temple will be made.
travel by Manju Kak