Leafing Through
Bari Katheylloo Anna by Kum. Veerabhadrappa
C.V.G.Prakashana, Rs. 300
A gradual unveiling of the geographical regions of Karnataka in literary fiction has been the defining feature of the genre in the last two decades. This exploration goes beyond anthropological curiosity only when it is coupled with a journey into the interior landscapes of the individuals caught in the flux of change, historical or social. It requires Herculean talent and thorough exposure to rural India, to capture the painful transition of human beings traumatised by modern influences without the antecedent advantages. It is in this context that Kum. Veerabhadrappa's (Kum. Vee) writings acquire immense significance.
Kum. Vee's entertaining tongue in cheek tone that is inherent to his writing has often lead to a gross under estimation of his creative capabilities and his deep understanding of subaltern realities of our society. The volume under consideration is a collection of more than eighty stories created over a period of three decades. Many of them are studies of a bilingual, feudal culture of Rayalseema region of Andhra Pradesh. He has carved a niche for himself in his portrayal of the sub-human lifestyle imposed by the cruel and lecherous landlords. This however, does not turn the author blind to their humane qualities. He has the love of a creator towards the victims of evil as well as its perpetrators. Stories such as Paryavasaana, Kari Vemala and Kanakangi Kalyana are remarkable in this group.
Many of the stories deal with a range of themes encompassing social protest, individual angst and human relations. Devara Hena, (Corpse of God) and Kendada Male Karevalli Udakavaagiddavara Kathe (A Story of Those Who Survived as Water When it was Raining Cinders) are counted among his early masterpieces. He ranks among the handful of his contemporaries who could transcend the limitations imposed by an explicit social agenda because he has meditated his art deeply and nurtured his skills carefully. Stories such as Kathe Heloo Kariyajja (Kariyajja the Storyteller) and Neralu (The Shadow) stand testimony. Hatye (Murder) and Kubusa (Blouse) deserve a special mention for various reasons. Veerabhadrappa's stories are complementary fragments of an integrated vision. Most of the characters are too focussed on the serious business of eking out their livelihood to bother about the cultural implications of their behaviour. Moreover, Kum. Vee is holding a mirror to a period which is witnessing an all-pervasive cultural decay and consequently whatever goes by the name of culture is merely a facade to conceal the tyrannies of feudal and capitalistic exploitation.
Kum. Vee seems to be prolific in a monotonous way. He employs some successful ploys so frequently that they become clichés. There is an imminent need for this author to forge alternate styles capable of probing the modern life in a more exclusive and contemplative pattern. Creating an interface between his dialect and the standard variety of Kannada could be very useful. Nevertheless, this anthology represents a watershed in the history of short fiction in Kannada and the reading community is genuinely grateful for whatever it has received from this extraordinary writer.
H.S. RAGHAVENDRA RAO
Avantara by B.A. Prabhakara Rai
Got a girl with moola nakshatra in your family or circle of friends whom nobody wants to marry? Don't worry, solution is at hand. Get hold of a friendly astrologer, grease his palm and make him draw a new horoscope with a new star. Wedding bells will surely peal. This is what the lovable Sheenanna and Ganganna do to reshape the destiny of the fast ageing Sita in B.A. Prabhakar Rai's Tulu novel Avantara. The reader is transported to the heart of Dakshina Kannada's small towns and villages where everybody knows everybody else and almost everyone is a well wisher, willing to share every bit of gossip. The novel oozes sentiment and home life: friends helping out the lonely birds, children being born, happy housewives...
And then trouble begins in the form of tillers to whom Tyampanna had let out some of his holdings. They fail to pay their dues. Tyampanna picks up an argument with Soopy, one such tiller, and his son, Aboobucker. Fisticuffs follow and in a fit of rage, the hero of the novel murders Aboobucker. The reader begins to wonder whether this is the effect of a bogus horoscope as Tyampanna unnecessarily messes up his life, hides from the police who are after him and finally dies in hospital. But his wife is a brave heart who runs the show without flinching and sees that her children come up in life. A simple story, told interestingly.
S. VENKATESH BHAT
Kumar Gandharva by Shirish Joshi
Lingayat Adhyayana Samsthe, Rs. 30
The young writer Shirish Joshi's just released book on the inimitable musician Kumar Gandharva is welcome for more than one reason. The book offers a quick overview of the life of Kumar Gandharva by summarising the different stages of his life into twelve chapters. Each chapter has for its title a note from the music scale. The language is simple and easy, enabling quick reading and easy understanding. The book, in its first chapter Sa, throws light on the Kumar Gandharva's childhood influences. The second chapter Ri depicts his tutelage under Devdhar Master (late Pandit B.R. Devdhar) and the evolution of Kumar Gandharva as a singer. The later chapters talk of his emotional journey, his marriage with Bhanumati and later Vasundhara and their influence on his music, and eventually an emotional resolution.
A musical genius, he was always known to hold radical views stemming from experience. In Chapter 8, Joshi points out how Kumar Gandharva turned criticisms from contemporaries and critics in a positive manner to improve his vocal skills. His special concerts, experiments with Nirguni Bhajans and the last days of Kumar Gandharva form the final pages of the interesting book.
The emotional involvement of the author in the work is conspicuous, for, he was inspired to explore the life and music of this great musician after he read a small piece on him in a local newspaper. With philanthropist B.G. Turmari offering to sponsor his venture, Joshi, an employee in the Krishna Jala Nigam, Belgaum, was more than willing to go on a hunting spree to collect data. In the process, he landed on a number of books, and audio and video tapes, on the late musician. Tontadarya Swami, who was greatly impressed by the book, suggests that the book be made part of university curriculum.
VIJAYKUMAR PATIL
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