Poonachi

By Perumal Murugan

In short: Go read it.

After a long time have I read a book that is telling the story of an entity that is so ordinary, so mundane but very much there in our lives so much so that we actually fail to register its presence as a sentient being. The writer has taken a goat who he calls ‘Poonachi’ to narrate its story and its world view of its surroundings. Its world is restricted to the small hut of its old and poor owners but its short sojourns to nearby places with the old couple gives it lot of wisdom and peek into the ways of the world. It is considered a miracle goat and that provides another angle to its otherwise simple life but acts as a mechanism to showcase the psyche of those around her especially the humans.

A big factor to liking this book is undoubtedly the lucid translation done by Mr N. Kalyan Raman. The story feels as if it was originally written in English rather than Tamil. Though I have not read the original work of the author, this work rendered in English translation uses the language to perfectly convey what must be some particular Tamil nuances. For example,  while alluding to the clan deity Mesagaran he retains the local way of addressing him as ‘Mesayya’ which lends itself quite effortlessly without creating any confusion. There are some more Tamil words that have been retained to good effect. One such word is the term ‘Asuras’ which has been kept as such without arrogating any western definitions or its equivalent in English and that lends a unique Tamil milieu to the narration.

The book is likened to the ‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell as giving a political comment through the story which may be very well true. Sample this - ‘….Goats have horns, don’t they? Suppose they get a little angry and point them at the regime? Such goats have to be identified, right? That’s why they all have to get their ears pierced.’ Many more such references are there but the story doesn’t get lopsided with it. Rather it portrays the citizen as a politically aware commentator which is a page out of an Indian’s life.

The book wins for its simple yet thought provoking narration.

Vasudeva Krishna and Mathura

 

Some books are to be tasted, some to be chewed and others to be digested. This one had me chewing the information without undue haste and verily digesting the unpalatable truths regarding our history of incessant invaders and their unsavoury deeds. This is first book on some aspect of history that I have read after the mandatory reads at school. But I wish I had read something as written by Ms Meenakshi Jain as she has explained the details in simple language, starting with interesting factoids about how religious customs were back in the days, evolving into how we perceive and conduct them in the present time. From elaborate complex rituals to one that is less elaborate, more intimate and profound, and yet we still follow some of them to this day. This is duly corroborated by the various archaeological evidences as well as the ancient sacred texts of the Vedas.

The present book shines a light on a historical journey of the city of Mathura with the help of the many archaeological finds from this place as well endorsed by finds from secondary places/sources. For example it is interesting to note that the ritual culture of images developed simultaneously within Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism in the city of Mathura. This can be seen in the earlier images of Vishnu, Bodhisatva Maitreya and Mahavira that are similar in construction. The art in these three traditions had similar elements such as sacred trees, stupas, railings, chakras etc.

The book also focuses on the advent of the Bhagwata religion whence Sri Krishna rose in prominence among all deities and the eventual merging of Krishna Vasudev with Vishnu as same entity. The author has referenced several ancient texts to bring out some historical events that occurred in Krishna Vasudeva’s lifetime. This book is rightly a testament of the fact that not only is Mathura indeed the place where Sri Krishna was born and spent his childhood but the place where he was actually delivered- the karagrah or the jail where his uncle the king Kamsa had imprisoned his parents, is very much there for all to see in what was the great Keshavadeva temple.

That Mathura held a position of prominence is attested to by the writings of the many travelers like the French merchant Jean Baptiste Tavernier, Mahmud Balkhi from Central Asia, the Italian Niccolao Manucci etc. It is through their writings that we come to know how the devotees conducted their daily routine as well as tell us about the grandeur of Katra Keshavdeva temple.

And then came the Hindu downfall with the marauding attacks of Islamic invaders like Mahmud Ghaznavi, Aurangzeb who razed to ground the grand Keshavdeva temple, killing thousands of peaceful people. The temple was built and re-built multiple times following its destruction time and again. It is this temple that has been in recent news better known as the ‘Krishnajanmsthan’ being claimed by the Muslim side. The latter part of the book is devoted to details about the various court hearings and verdicts delivered- all in favour of the temple. Presently, fresh case has been filed in 2020 on behalf of Bhagwan Shree Krishna for full rights over the place.