Bhaskara Patellar and Other Stories 8185938113

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Paul Zacharia was born in Urulikunnam, Kerala, and has published six collections of short stories, a novella and a

volume of occasional writings. He lives in Kerala and is at present consultant to India Today (Malayalam edition)

-and Asianet, a satellite TV channel. He is married and _ has a daughter and a son.

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BHASKARA PATTELAR AND OTHER STORIES Translated from Malayalam

Paul

Zacharia

EBANAS

MANAS, an imprint of

AFFILIATED EAST-WEST PRESS PVT. LTD. G-1/16, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi 110 002

1/1, General Patters Road, Madras 600 002 3-5-1108, Narayanaguda, Hyderabad 500 029 239, 1st Floor, DMM Building, Bull Temple Road, Chamarajpet, Bangalore 560 018 Distributors: RUPA & CO 15, Bankim Chatterjee Street, Calcutta 700 073. 135, South Malaka, Allahabad 211 011.

P.G. Solanki Path, Lamington Road, Bombay 400 007. 7/16, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi 110 002.

© 1994 Paul Zacharia. The right of Paul Zacharia to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Indian Copyright Act. ISBN : 81 85938 11 3 Price : Rs.95/—

Cover illustration by D Alexander Cover design by Tulika

Typeset by Images, 15-38 South Boag Road, T.Nagar, Madras 600 017 Printed by Sri Venkatesa Printing House, Madras 600 026

Published by Affiliated East-West Press Pvt. Ltd., 62-A, Ormes Road, Kilpauk, Madras 600 010

To my teachers

Alurumpil Ramakrishnapillai Sir the late E S Narayanapillai Sir and the late Gopalakrishna Adiga Sir —in deep reverence and gratitude

It’s frying and roasting And feasting all day In the accountant’s home. When the accounts are done

It’s weeping and wailing And hand-wringing all day In the accountant’s home.

—Malayalam proverb

The author wishes to record his deep indebtedness to: Gita Krishnankutty, for the idea of this book and making it work; K S Padmanabhan of AEWP, for an ex-em-

ployee’s pleasure of returning as author; A J Thomas, for the very many things unspoken between friends; Subashree

and Revathi

of AEWP,

for the firm and in-

sistent questioning and the insights, which made this book so much more readable; Vijay Nambisan, for bringing to the manuscript a poet’s benevolent eye; Nirmal Kamat of KITAB, for the invaluable sustenance of refuge, encouragement and books; Mathrubhumi and Kalakaumudi

weeklies,

which

first

published

most

of

these stories and India Today (Malayalam edition); Current books, Thrissur,

Poorna

Publications,

Kozhikode,

and Sahitya Pravartaka Co-operative Society, Kottayam, who published the first collections; DC books, Kottayam, Current Books, Kottayam, and Kalakshetram,

Kasargod, my present publishers; the small, wary circle of readers in Kerala who have kept these stories in print; John Abraham and Lalitha Zacharia for the first, yet incomplete, translation.

Contents . A Nazrani Youth and Goulisastram Translated by A JThomas

. Bridegroom on a White Horse

19

Translated by Gita Krishnankutty

. Who Knows?

26

Translated by Gita Krishnankutty

The Train Robbery

34

Translated by A JThomas

The Last Show

45

Translated by Gita Krishnankutty

Annamma Teacher: a Memoir

49

Translated by A JThomas

The Unbeliever

58

Translated by Gita Krishnankutty

. Star of the Heart

62

Translated by Gita Krishnankutty

Some Recent Unnatural Deaths

67

Translated by the author

10. A Thoroughly Carnal Desire

75

Translated by Gita Krishnankutty

Li The Garden of the Antlions

80

Translated by AJ Thomas

12, The Story of a Cruel Nazrani

പ്‌

Translated by Gita Krishnankutty

13. The Publicity Cart of the Film Itha Ivide Vare Sets Out Translated by Gita Krishnankutty

97

14. The Boat

108

Translated by Gita Krishnankutty

15. A Christmas Story

1]

Translated by the author

16. Salaam, America!

118

Translated by the author and A J Thomas

17. The Visitor

1

Translated by Gita Krishnankutty

18. A Narrow Place

141

Translated by the author

re. A Letter

151

Translated by A J Thomas

20. An Inquest at Dawn

157

Translated by the author

re The Girl Who Spreads Light

163

Translated by Gita Krishnankutty

oe No Need to Go in Search

169

Translated by AJ Thomas

oi My Father

179

Translated by A JThomas

es The Confession of Joseph Good

188

Translated by the author

2D, The Canto of Clandestine Lovers

200

Translated by the author

26. Bhaskara Pattelar and My Life

209

Translated by Gita Krishnankutty

Glossary

244

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