An example from Kolkata

Kolkata has set an example to the bulldozer-happy Christian priests of Kerala. The World Monuments Fund (WMF) in collaboration with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is set to revive the facade of the St. John’s Church in Kolkata (built in 1787) at an estimated coat of Rs.3.8 millions.

Others involved in the project are Action Research in Conservation of Heritage (ARCH) and the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, Government of West Bengal. A report in The Hindu of May 11 states that this is being done “so that it serves as a catalyst for similar rejuvenation projects in the future.

But obviously the message doesn’t get through to Ramapuram, Kerala, where the Vicar and his people are planning to proceed with the demolition of the historic twin churches (see Churches on demolition line.) against the laws of the land and the reported opposition of the Major Archbishop of the Syro Malabar Church, Cardinal Vithayathil.

To overcome the Kerala Government’s directive not to alter the structure of the twin churches, the Vicar is playing the religious card. He is reportedly circulating a letter to the parishioners stating that if the Government declares the buildings as protected monuments, they would not be able to conduct prayers and religious activities there.

“It is a blatant lie”, cries The New Indian Express of May 3. The report goes on to say, “It has been well-clarified in the law that the department [of Archeology] does not interfere in the activities which are held at a structure which has been declared a protected monument. Its concern is only in the upkeep of the structure.”

I had said pretty much the same thing in my post Back to the twin churches.

Ends.

Autobiography of a School

When I reached Olavipe on the morning of May 13, I was presented with a hot-from-the-press copy of ‘Padavarambu’ -- an autobiography of the local government lower primary school, ghostwritten in Malayalam by some of the alumni.

The next day The Hindu, one of India’s leading national newspapers, carried a feature by Dennis Marcus Mathew on the book. “Autobiographies,” it said, “are nothing new. But one by a school… is something unusual. (It is) said to be the first by a school in Kerala, probably in the country.”

‘Padavarambu’ is a fascinating little book. It is well produced and illustrated. The language is simple, almost poetic. I am proud that my village has people who can write like this. The authors used what they termed ‘memory boxes’ to collect data. Each old student available was asked to jot down his/her experiences relating to the school. From that collection evolved this poignant piece.

The book covers a short span of time, a period during which Olavipe saw great socio-economic changes, the transition from feudalism to an increasingly egalitarian society and the opening of the passage to knowledge and wisdom through the gates of the school. Forays into the past offer glimpses of the history of the land.

The most interesting parts of ’Padavarambu’ are the school’s reminiscences about her children. The epigram reads, “Some children know how to fly kites very well. Some do not know how to fly kites. There are others who themselves are kites.”

Here are some of the scenes: An old lady near the school regularly collects fallen mangoes and distributes them to the boys and girls. Another, stick in hand, chases off children who try to pluck mangoes from her tree. Then there are the innumerable little things – friendships and fights, a little girl crying because her skirt fell off.

One incident is about a boy who was asked to stand up on the bench in punishment. He bolted from the classroom, ran to the Olavipe Lake and jumped in. The teachers and the locals ran after him, pulled him out of water and brought him back to school, wet clothes and all.

Slowly, the situation changed. As the family planning campaign took effect, birth rate in the village dropped. Parents started sending their children to better schools outside Olavipe. This too was progress.

The autobiography concludes with these words: “Through the same paths that I reached the village, English School buses came. As I watch, they drive away with the children. What can I tell those kids, except ‘ta ta’?” One can almost feel the deep sigh.

This Mater is still young – only forty-six years old. She is dying though, facing closure for want of sufficient number of students. Only around fifty are left.

Some people like the publishers of the book (Group of Friends. Office: Shade of the Mango Tree, School Compound, Olavipe, India – 688 526) still hope that the lady would revive. But progress, which she herself helped to set in motion in my village, is a blind bulldozer. It rolls on, regardless.

Ends.

Is today Sunday?

Photo made available by Narayan Thampi, Cochin.
Can you locate the country?

The Yad Vashem Controversy

Articles by Abraham Tharakan carries a post on the recent controversy involving Israel and Vatican. Click on the title to read.

On the Banks of River Mahe

My earlier post Mahe - Petite France in Kerala. brought some enquiries whether M. Mukundan’s famous Malayalam novel Mayyazhi Puzhayude Theeranghalil is available in English or French. I contacted the author through Sunil K. Poolani, Publisher and Managing Editor of Frog Books, Mumbai (www.frogbooks.net, www.zzebra.net).

M. Mukundan has confirmed that the book has been translated into French and English. The French version is brought out by the famous publishing house, Actes Sud. The English translation is published by East-West (Manas), Chennai, India

Now, a brief note on the author and his books. Mukundan is, undoubtedly, one of the most reputed writers in India today and his books make great reading. Wikipedia points out ‘Mukundan's magnum opus Mayyazhi Puzhayude Theeranghalil (On the Banks of River Mahe) fetched him the award for the best novel published in the last 25 years…’

Mukundan was born in Mahe, the former French Colony, in 1942. Starting from 1961, he has been a prolific writer. Thirty-two books by him and two about him are in Library of Congress collection. Three novels by Mukundan were made into movies. He wrote the script for one of them and won the award for the Best Screenplay! A number of his works have been translated into English.

Mukundan is the recipient of many honors including three Kendra Sahithya Academy Awards (National). Mayyazhi Puzhayude Theeranghalil also won the Crossword Award. In 1998 the French Government conferred on Mukundan the title Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.

Mukundan’s language is simple and expressive. There are innumerable compliments paid to this great writer by publishers, critics, editors, the media and readers. I would like to quote one by Prof. KN Panikkar in ‘Interrogating Colonialism: Novel as Imagined History, ‘Mukundan's novels provide a reading of the history of colonialism unavailable in a historian's oeuvre.'

Mukundan lives in Mahe. He is currently the Chairman of the Kerala Sahithya Academy.

Ends.

Tranquility.

More Olavipe scenes. Click on the photos to enlarge.

Photo: Chris & Hazel.

Photo: Patrik.

Photo: K.O. Isaac.

A power-pack for breakfast.

This is a banana based breakfast recipe that is flexible, simple to make, considered to be very healthy, and tasty.

I won’t write much about the benefits and nutritional value of bananas because that would cover several pages. Generally, these wonder fruits are supposed to build immunity, help in blood purification, provide energy and assist digestion. They combine vitamins (A, B6, C, E), minerals, and fiber along with several other beneficial nutrients and medicinal properties. A medium sized banana is supposed to have only 86 calories.

For this recipe what is required is the Kerala banana (most of it comes from Tamil Nadu), which is locally called Nendran/Nenthran or Ethakkai. The famous Malabar (Kerala) chips are made from these before they ripen. The fruit is usually about 7 to 9 inches long. There are several Kerala recipes using this type of banana when it is ripe or unripe. The ripe ones (boiled) are also served as a stand alone breakfast food.

Outside South India, these fruits should be available in ethnic shops.

Now the recipe for power-pack breakfast for one:

Ingredients: 1 fully ripe Kerala banana, 1 chicken egg, 2 slices of whole wheat bread.
Method:

1. Cut off about half inch from both ends of the banana
2. Steam it with skin on till fully done. If the fruit is too big, it can be cut into 2 or 3 pieces
3. When done, remove the skin and the strings on the outside of the flesh. (Removing strings is optional.)
4. Cut the banana lengthwise and open it out fully to form a base sheet.
5. Remove the strings of tiny seeds in the middle of the banana (optional)
6. Top with freshly fried (to individual preference) egg
7. Serve with 2 slices of whole wheat bread.

I have this breakfast sometimes. My choice is lightly fried egg because the yolk would spread on the boiled banana.

(Acknowledgement: My wife, Annie.)

Also see
Ammachi's Health Recipe - may lower cholesterol, blood sugar.