Fiction
Play of shadows
SELINE AUGUSTINE
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With emphasis on characterisation and dialogue rather than plot, Star-Crossed brings the world of movies alive.
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Star-Crossed, Ashokamitran, translated by
V. Ramnarayan, Indian Writing, 2007, p.144, Rs.150.
The tinsel town of Kollywood, like its counterpart in Mumbai, is peopled by fascinating men and women. There are the efficient behind-the-scenes managers, crass and callous producers, drop-dead gorgeous but temperamental heroines, waiting-in-the-wing
hopefuls, stardust-in-the eyes starlets, daring directors, snazzy cameramen, technicians and errand boys. In Ashokamitran’s hands, the characters come stinging alive in Star-Crossed with the bare minimum of words. The book is a
slice of the Madras movie masala, where the writer has chosen to bring the pathos and the uncertainty under the arc lights. Skyrocketing fortunes one day, going bankrupt the next, having-to-lick-the-boots setup, it is a risqué world.
A brilliant writer of Tamil fiction, Ashokamitran’s works have been translated into English, Tamil, Telugu and other languages. His collection of short stories Appavin Snehithargal, fetched him the Sahitya Akademi Award in 199
6.
Gripping narrative
The original title in Tamil of the book in question is highly evocative,
Karainda Nizhalgal
, meaning dissolving shadows. This is not a typical work of fiction in that the book does not flaunt a plot and a story. Character portrayal and dialogue are the significant aspects of the book. For all that, it is a gripping piece of
writing where Ashokamitran, not given to ostentation in his fictional works, has focussed attention on meticulous detail.
Rajagopal, who has been an assistant director for over a decade, is one character who tugs at your heart strings. His dignity in adversity and all-out efforts impact the emotions. Through his eyes we get an insider’s view of the plight of the dance girls and it is heartrending a story. Reddiar the producer is another classic creation. The author is known for his humour. Here he has a dig at the ignorance of the film folks. The film chamber chief welcomes the foreign guests: “There have been cultural ties between India and Czechoslovakia for over 2,000 years”. The PIB official Thiraviam later accosts the film chamber president with “Why don’t you drop the 2,000 years business. Czechoslovakia as a nation is barely 50 years old”.
New venture
Star-Crossed is an “Indian Writing” publication brought out by New Horizon Media which is making a mark bringing out choice contemporary literature in Tamil translated into English. V. Ramnarayan has translated the book int
o English. A former cricketer, Ramnarayan has authored three books on cricket, including Mosquitoes and Other Jolly Rovers: The Story of Tamil Nadu Cricket.
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