Grandmom of laughter
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Some interesting reads in Kannada
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Best of Sunandamma, edited by Y.N. Gundu Rao
Ankita, Rs. 90
T. Sunandamma, who passed away last week, is a pioneer in her own right. She was the first woman writer in Kannada to establish herself in the genre of humour writing. She began with the landmark humour journal Koravanji in 1942 and went on to become a prolific writer across a range of magazines and periodicals. The odds against which she started her writing career — studying in a school in which she was the lone girl student (despite opposition from boys' parents who wanted her out when she stood first in class!), getting married into a conservative household at the age of 11 and so on — are inspirational tales.
While an earlier compilation of her complete works ran into 1,200 pages, Best of Sunandamma is a handy volume that presents the spirit of the first "funny woman" of Kannada.
Starting with her first-ever article "Nan carittiddu", it shows the evolution of Sunandamma's brand of humour over the years. Sarasu and Mylariah, the couple who play the pivotal role in a number of her short essays, continue to stay on her canvas through the years. But the two — who have six children and start their family at a time when "foreign nylex saris" were the rage — live into ripe old age with a French son-in-law in boot! Even as details vary in accordance with the period in which Sunandamma is writing (sadly, individual articles do not mention the year of publication) her arena of exploration remains constant — the urban middle-class life.
Interestingly, there is nothing distinctly "feminist" about Sunandamma's brand of humour. Her butt of ridicule is often Sarasu and her various misadventures in which the women's organisation she is part of figures prominently. She is a woman of impulsive actions and goof-ups as opposed to the even-tempered (slightly henpecked even) Mylariah. But one can't miss the fact that while Sarasu might be the one to blunder through life and generate laughter, she is endearing precisely for this reason.
In the last essay of the collection, Sarasu wakes up from a dream where she is a minister and the whole world is clamouring to celebrate her birthday! Though it's never obvious, one wonders if Sarasu is a raring-to-go spirit caught in a confining time and space.
Sunandamma's model of humour made no radical departures from the norm of the time. Was that crucial to gain acceptance in an all-male territory at the time when she began writing? These questions make Sunandamma's writings worthy of a careful study.
BAGESHREE S.
Tibet: Ardha Shatamaanada Aaarthamore by Mangaloora Vijaya
Abhinava, Rs. 375
Debates on Tibet
Tibetans are not strangers to Karnataka. There are six settlements in five places in the State since 1960. Though we often spot them selling sweaters, not many of us know much about their tragic lives — of leaving birthplace and ending up as refugees. Except a book by Niranjana and two translated works, there is hardly any book in Kannada which refers to the Tibetan issue.
This book is the culmination of 10 years of research by the author. Some saw the developments in Tibet as an expansion of the revolution in China. The author has tried to counter that mode of thinking. While taking care to throw light on the inadequacies in the Tibetan society prior to the Chinese occupation, he has also dwelt in great length on the methods and after-effects of forced changes. In the country, 12.5 lakh have been killed, 1.2 lakh have migrated and 6,500 Bouddha Viharas have been destroyed in the period 1959-61.
India's helplessness in the matter, Dalai Lama's dilemma, China's stubborn approach are all brought into play in the book. The black-and-white photographs add to the effect. The appendix contains statements of big names such as J.P., Lohia and Kishan Patnaik. There is a separate section on first-hand accounts of atrocities. For those who want to visit Tibet, there are some useful tips.
This is an engaging read, despite several irritating proofing errors.
H.S. MANJUNATHA
Leafing Through is a fortnightly column that features Kannada books. Send in books for review to Friday Review, The Hindu, 19&21, Bhagwan Mahaveer Road, Bangalore 560001.
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