Stories for time to come

By Anand Haridas

KOCHI, MAY 14. "Works by TR would not be understood in another ten years." Coming from one of the leading men in our cultural scene like M.V. Devan, this should hold the key to understanding stories by T. Ramachandran, better known as TR.

So what would be TR's position in the history of Malayalam literature? This was a question which some of the late writer's friends faced when they were involved in bring out an anthology of his stories.

Introducing the book at the function, Mr. C. R. Parameswaran said that TR, along with Mr. N. S. Madhavan and Mr. Paul Zacharia discovered the blend of contradictory idioms like social and existential angst.

"Stories like `Thukalvyapari' (hide merchant) and `Rudranum mattum' (Rudran and others) brought in a freshness and authenticity to story telling in the language."

Those who knew a TR, when he was alive, vouch that he never failed to react to society. His decision to stop writing stories, 20 years before his death was another reaction to the callous society around him. His own Bohemian instincts might have been just an excuse.

Not for him was the technique of being an impassionate witness to the cruelties `happening' around him, as the school of sentimentalists belonging to the '70s did.

According to Mr. Parameswaran, `Jassakine kollaruthu' (Don't kill Jassak) was the best-constructed story by TR It could also be one the best satires in the language. About a nation devastated physically by an earthquake and psychologically by debts to banks and money-lenders.

His stories were somewhat like 'release mechanisms' for the `angry youth' of that period, though doubts still linger as to how far they were understood in their exact political context.

`Naam nalayude nanakedu' (We are a shame to tomorrow), is a honest introspection of the vibrant politics of yesteryear. It is also a powerful statement against following the "oft-beaten track" and supporting the never-ending spirit to create a new path of thought.

"Path" had been a recurring image for TR For someone who never worried about "roads not taken", he used the imagery to question the accepted norms in society. As in `A. Lukinte patha' (A. Luke's way).

"TR used the colloquial language in his stories to enhance the rhythm of prose." So said Mr. M. V. Devan. It brought his stories and characters closer to earthly realities.

'Korunyidathu Komootti' is perhaps the story in which TR brought ethnicity to the best use. Complex in treatment, as TR was comfortable while telling stories, this particular story employs 'internal monologues' of characters to advance the plot, using temple rituals and oracle as a backdrop.

It is also a powerful statement against social realities--like poverty.

The book, divided into five sections, brings into print many stories by the master that had been brushed aside to oblivion. "More than half of TR's stories are being collected under one title for the first time." And Mr. Parameswaran is right. It is better to forget that which we cannot understand.

As Mr. N. S. Madhavan says in the foreword to the stories, "TR's works are like Rubic's Cube. There are any number of possibilities for TR's literature that employs elements from painting, literature, sculpture, music, anthropology, architecture, film, history and photography."

He goes on to add that audience of the 21st Century could walk into TR's realm of imagery with ease, as they would be used to interact with many media at a time.

Literature for TR, to quote Mr. Madhavan again "was an art of time". And he wrote for times to come. May be that is why he let his works to be forgotten during his time. Now the new collection of his stories is an attempt to secure for him his due place in history.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Gulati quits Planning Board post
Next     : A big draw...from yesteryear