Three books that showcase different facets of Kerala. Two of them tread the religious path — one a coffee table book on Guruvayur Temple, another a spiritual pilgrimage exploring the secular traditions of God’s Own Country — while the third is an anthology that shows the quirky, contrary face of Kerala. In their own ways, all three books bring to the fore the paradox that is the chilli-shaped southern state.
Kerala Kerala Quite Contrary; Edited by Shinie Antony; Rupa &Co Pages: 255; Price: Rs 195
Buy Borrow Avoid
A title that manages to catch the eye despite being housed in an unpleasantly chaotic cover, contributors who are literary celebrities, an eclectic mix of short stories, essays, travelogues, memoirs — and, yet this book fails to captivate. Unlike the unhurried pace in which the state of Kerala moves, this anthology appears to have been slapped together in a rush. There are spelling mistakes and some jarring notes in translations.
To be fair, anthologies are always a difficult proposition to put together — some selections will please, others leave you cold and indifferent. With a resonating theme like the exasperatingly contrary face of Kerala — after all the people of God’s Own Country often mock their own state as Dog’s own country — Antony was on to a good thing, and yet fails to make an impact.
Oh, yes, the contrasts do come through and the sweep of the book is wide enough. From politics, the police force (Hormis Tharakan’s memoir, which is offbeat and interesting), to the literary, art and music scene of the state to religion and brand Kerala, one gets a wide perspective on what ails the state and what’s going for it. Cynicism and satire, a common trait in the Malayali, are in abundant measure in the writings here.
But, the trouble is to do with her target audience — if aimed at the non Malayali, then the translations, the context and explanatory notes are often missing. You can’t just wax eloquent about pazham poris and chakka vartis and not explain what these are. At least have a glossary at the end if you are going to liberally lace the book with Malayalam words.
If aimed at the Malayali or rather, as I suspect the case to be, the Marunadan Malayali (non-resident Keralites), then while there are some charmingly phrased and pertinent observations, overall the takeaway is limited. Most of the contributing writers — Mukundan, Satchidanandan, Omcherry, Susan Vishwanathan, Shashi Tharoor and journalists like Suresh Menon and D. Vijayamohan — belong to this ilk and one has heard or read or seen them in the literary clubs and art circles in the metros. The new voices — like young Nimz Dean at 13 years! — are few and far between. The fictional pieces work best in this anthology.
Book Reviews 
Kerala Kerala Quite Contrary;
