A calender at peace.

I don't consider myself to be a writer. Writing demands tremendous amounts of patience and research; qualities which are not on the top of my strengths. But you have to admit not may of the writers do in fact have these qualities in them. I rather consider myself to be a voracious reader capable of devouring the likes of Frederick Forsyth, Tom Clancy, Shakespeare and Vaikom Muhammad Basheer in a single sitting. Few books compel me to return to them again and again. Those that do have a demanding storyline or intricate plots or compelling characters. Most of the books that don't usually end up as a permanent fixture on my bookshelf gathering dust until i return to them on a really really rainy day.

I was pleasantly surprised to be handed a book by a friend; considering that he hates reading; it came as quite a surprise. My first thought of "A Calendar Too Crowded" by Sagarika Chakraborty (aka the-sea-saga to those on twitter) was that it probably one of those books written about India and its ills designed to sell well in the west and hopefully pull in an award or two. But in this case I was wrong .It was different and thoroughly enjoyable. Conveyed the same thoughts to the author and so here i am with the review.

In a world obsessed with celebrating a 24 hour period to some cause; women i discovered seem to have the most days named after them. But this in not a Hallmark card celebration we read through. It portrays the struggle to be a women. Born as the wrong sex, covering up the beatings, handling the emotional baggage, haggling over dowry and the final abandonment for some unfortunate souls. The book is not a shocker per se; we all knew these things happen but didn't move a muscle. The book has a way of celebrating or rather exposing the truth we didn't want to know through a weaving narrative. It connects random days on the calender to events and people seemingly unconnected. Is this just another feminist rant? I began to think after turning through a few pages. It isn't in fact the effect is more sublime as the rest of the book proved. You didn't see anything but the thought stays with you for ever.

I think what stands out is that there is no cliche being exploited. It does not ask the reader to use the death ray on all the evil doers nor does it want tears for the victims. The book asks no questions nor provides any answer. Its just brings out the truth that you knew existed but did not want to acknowledge. 

"What do we do now" asked the small voice from my right cerebral cortex after reading the entire book ? The answer came surprisingly from my left cerebral cortex "The beginning of change" the new voice said now gaining boldness "should be small; in every home; in every family". Perhaps that is what the author wanted. A tiny voice awoken to the world.

This will be a well thumbed well worn edition standing proud along my literary greats and not just gather dust on my bookshelf.I wouldn't dare to name a particular story as my favorite although quite a few do stand out or rather poke my conscience once in a while.

A great read, my lady Sea Saga; if i may address you as such. Awaiting more....

The missing link in evolution

Ha. I bet you thought I was going to give a lengthy discourse on darwin and his theories. Guess again I am talking automobile evolution.

Ever since the first man learned to put a set of wheels together, the aim has been for better and faster. From the humble bicycle to the awesome bugatti veyron we love the thrill on wheels.

In this mechanical evolution there has been the in betweens. Contraptions that still have vestigial remains of a bike and have not yet evolved into a four wheeler. I refer to the missing or rather incomplete link in terms of automobile evolution the humble autorickshaw.

I am sure indians everywhere have this vehicle firmly engraved into their psyche. From a very young age the auto or rick or tuk-tuk as it is known in some countries is an integral part of travel lore for every indian.

Of late however having travelled across some of the southern parts of the subcontinent I like to think of the rick as a creature which cannot accept its two wheeler nature but aspires to be a car. With the advent of diesel and lpg versions available autos have taken on the personalities of their jungle creatures.

The chennai auto (auto aevalum) is adept at stalking its prey from afar. With a sly charm you are unwittingly led into its innards where the driver traps you in his web of fares. Three autos to the same destination have often charged three different rates. You know what they say the prepaid the better. Since lawlessness prevails on the roads these creatures fit perfectly into urban jungle.

Kerala autos have evolved into three sub species. The north auto (auto decentus) the central auto (auto violentus) and the south auto (auto whatthef@kus).

The auto decentus is mainly found roosting in the kozhikode kannur and kasargode districts. Its quite
easy to spot them. Well behaved meter specific fares are its identifying characteristics. Coupled with a spate of exterior protrusions and interior design that would put dc design to shame. Be it night or day rates are what's on the meter nothing more nothing less. Change too is tendered exactly.

Auto violentus is is usually found hanging around the railway and bus stations of cochin and surrounding districts. Woe to the man who asks for meter fare or who dares to argue with such a creature. One will receive a hitchhikers guide to the choicest abuse in malayalam.and then some.

auto whatthef@kus is very prevalent in the capital and surrounding districts. Meters are considered to be appendages which give you a guideline to the fact that the wheels do turn after all. Fare is calculated as the square of the circumference of the distance travelled and adding a factor of ten if the passenger if from out of state.

But I guess that these living fossils still carry some practical value. What that is I am still to find out.