Where history and memory meet

On Thursday, Kerala will create a publication history of sorts with the simultaneous release of a book in Malayalam at four places, by some of the most-noted names in the language and culture of the State.

Renowned writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair will release the book in Kozhikode, poet Sugathakumari in the State capital, poet Chemmanam Chacko in Kochi, and CPI(M) Polit Bureau member and former Education Minister M.A. Baby in Kollam. Gracing the release functions will be writers and critics M. Achuthan, M. Thomas Mathew, Akbar Kakkattil, Khadeeja Mumtaz, K.E.N. Kunhahammed, John Paul, K.P. Mohanan, Prabha Varma, and Ezhacherry Ramachandran. It will in effect be their way of making a loving bow before Malayalam’s celebrated poet O.N.V. Kurup. For, they will be at these places exactly at 5 p.m. on Thursday to release the poet’s memoir Pokkuveyil Mannilezhuthiyath .

“This is not an autobiography; I am not tall enough to write something of the kind. These are but affectionate jottings that the evening sun leaves behind on the sands as it sets, tired after arriving early, sweeping away the dark dry leaves, waking up the little flowers, feeding the leaves, and drying the wet sheets,” writes the poet about the book.

His father, O.N. Krishna Kurup, famous Ayurveda

vaidyan (medic), used to take him out on walks, familiarising his little son with the herbs and flowers in the neighbourhood. Once, his father took his little palm, placed it on his lap, and said, “Don’t learn vaidyam . You don’t have the magic in your palm.” The little boy did not understand what his father meant by the term, but time proved that what his father told him was prophetic: his lot was to work magic with words and images. His father must have known: for he was the one who introduced his little boy to the world of letters.

A journey

In the book, ONV takes the reader through the days of political and social turbulence in which he grew up, his close association with the world of theatre, his progress in life as a writer, teacher and a social being, his many journeys of discovery in life and literature, and his late, and failed, encounter with electoral politics. Adding charm to the book are rare photographs.

ONV, who will turn 85 on May 27, writes: “My heart takes off to wherever the human kind exists. Even in my solitude, I think about standing by people everywhere who strive to save the earth and rebuild it…”

Poet O.N.V. Kurup’s memoir Pokkuveyil Mannilezhuthiyath will be released simultaneously in four places at 5 p.m. today.