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Inspired by the Bharathapuzha

The articleNilayude Makal Sundaritouches on the age-old belief that a daily bath in the river before dawn enhances feminine charms whileAthirolsavathinte Nalukalis on a festival observed by small groups in villages near the river.

Rajan Chungath's book Nilayude Makal Sundari represents one of the more recent literary endeavours inspired by the Bharathapuzha.

Nila has always been an unending source of inspiration for writers. Its decay accelerated by illegal sand-mining is now a recurring theme in literature on the river.

The decay of the river which nurtured culture and literature in a unique way was prophesied by poet Edasserry in a poem titled Kuttippuram Bridge that he wrote soon after a bridge was built across it to expedite "development" of the region.

"O mother Perar, will you also change/ into a gutter eventually," the poet wondered. (Perar and Nila are pet names of the Bharathapuzha).

Wrote litterateur M.T. Vasudevan Nair in an anguished tone in an article recently: "To us the Bharathapuzha was another Mother Goddess... . She discreetly guarded our dreams... . The river which inspired me and which witnessed my growing up, affectionately tolerating my contradictions within is breathing her last."

But the debilitation of the once strong river has not dampened the enthusiasm of writers to search for remnants of the colourful myths and glorious civilisation associated with the rich and eventful history of the region that was nurtured by the Nila.

Dr. Rajan Chungath, a retired Joint Director in the Animal Husbandry Department, only recently brought out a coffee table album of photographs titled Nila Through Time and Space.

Published by Vallathol Vidyapeetham, Edappal, and enriched with a touching autobiographical introduction by M.T. Vasudevan Nair and a lively narration by N. Gopalakrishnan, the album captures scintillating scenes that meet the eye during Rajan Chungath's photographic excursion through the river as it wends its way from the point of its origin in Shaivamala in the Western Ghats to merge with the Arabian Sea at Ponnani.

Nilayude Makal Sundari brought out by the Kozhikode-based Poorna Publications is a collection of 25 articles that the author published in leading Malayalam newspapers.

These articles cover a wide range of themes, all of course, inextricably linked with the Bharathapuzha.

The article Nilayude Makal Sundari, that gives the book its title, touches on the age-old belief that a daily bath in the river before dawn enhances feminine charms while Athirolsavathinte Nalukal is on a festival observed even today though only by small groups in villages near the river.

It is believed to strengthen family bonds which are steadily getting weakened in the urbanised world.

Seven of the essays in the book deal with rituals and temples, five are on `Somayaga' and `Athiratram', the rituals performed by erudite Namboodiris.

There is another interesting write-up on `Somalatha', the sacred herb that is believed to have been dear to Lord Indra because of its rejuvenating properties.

Also of interest to students of history are essays on `Poomully Mana', the mansion that was demolished since its huge size made it unmanageable for its heirs.

Says the author about his obsession with Nila: "This book has not satiated my interest in Nila. My wanderings through the river and its sandbanks in search for more knowledge about the river will continue."

R. Madhavan Nair

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