Windows to Memories – Indraneela Jalakangal | Sheeba EK | Malayalam Book | Memoir | Book Review
Booksology Memoirs are now a well-read genre in Malayalam. People from different walks of life and different age groups are all writing about the paths they have come across as compared to the past. Many books are bestsellers. One of the latest books to hit the memoir line is by storyteller and novelist Sheeba E. K. ‘Indranila Windows’. While in the undergraduate class, P. The first note begins by describing the shock of hearing the news of Padmarajan’s death and the indifference of the other students in the class.
The chapter is given a wonderful title ‘Memory of a Midday with a Cloud and a Touch of the Sun’, reminiscent of the names of his films. The note, which goes through Padmarajan’s writings and films, ends by sharing the memory of receiving the Padmarajan award for Katha in 2013.
‘Avyhaita’s Life Letters’ is a note written by adding her own experiences of marriage pressures imposed on girls by the society. The writer talks about the feelings caused by such pressures in her childhood. “There was no interest in the world of grown-up women. As they grew up, their freedom decreased. Like a crocodile entrusted to guard by someone, all parents were constantly guarding the girls, their morals, their bodies, their reputation, and their marriage. The eagerness to treat the girl even if she fell ill was not out of love for the girl, but to establish that there was no guilt or guilt until the marriage was over.”
The author’s position about the decision to live a single life is also correct. “The definition of celibacy is not open warfare against the system, self-righteousness, or pride. It’s walking out of the way of the non-conformist. It doesn’t justify whether the way is right or wrong. No one is encouraged to join.” It is clearly stated here that his is a purely personal decision.
The reader can see the wonder in the child’s eyes, ‘Nilakkadal’, a note describing the sight of the moon falling on the sea, which he unexpectedly saw (shown by his father) during a trip to Kozhikode with his father and family members. ‘Etra Ooriyaalan Iru Naindi Uluka’ is how Sheba begins the Sunday note, one of the shortest notes in this collection. It has been written about running from Monday to Sunday and back and the life that gets lost in between. Also noteworthy are the notes about the beloved teacher Sharada, who led the way at a young age to inculcate the understanding of equality, and whose stance was as firm as her firm feet, and about her friend who, despite having a high academic background, could have made a good career and decided to become a housewife without trying.
The post ‘Swayamerinhu Prakasamayaval’ is about the writer’s mother. A post about Amma could not have had a better title. “I wouldn’t be the person I am if it wasn’t for my mother, who silently prays for all the good things, doesn’t show too much joy in recognition and achievements, and keeps salt and pepper in the oven. My mother is the one who gave us light on her own. I am very happy to be born in that womb. I pray for the same in the next birth.” This is how Sheeba ends her note about Umm. All the readers will remember their own mothers while reading this post.
On the other hand, the note ‘Agni Jalam Kat’ is very disturbing to the readers. ‘Pachabeltum Malappuram Kathi’ is a note about his native Malappuram and shares the sadness of being unnecessarily misunderstood along with the goodness of his native land. He was suffering due to severe water shortage but he remembers the joys that only summer can give him with the note ‘Ormail Oru Kula Malarutirum Kalam’. ‘Acacia Kalam’ shares his own decision to join a nearby government college instead of going to Mannarkkad or Malappuram like other kids did at that time despite passing SSLC with good marks and sharing his campus experiences including the political conflict that greeted him on the first day.
‘Kat Tholkum Janalakal’ describes an office environment fed up with lack of cleanliness and continuous power outages and finally taking refuge on leave. ‘Aparajanms’ share the memory of a childhood friendship that was short-lived.
An ‘unknown visitor’ who came to the house from a nearby hospital to take a bath one night and left after taking a bath. Just a day of just wanting to sit around and do nothing. Every post like ‘My World Without Me’, ‘Rain Notes’, which shares the sorrows of exile life, will touch the hearts of the readers.
Even while sharing her own memories, Sheeba has been able to write without any pretense of being me. Many of these notes could make good stories if the story writer wanted to. Perhaps behind these notes is the desire of the writer to impart these memories to the readers without adulteration. Therefore, this book provides a good reading experience.
Indigo windows
Sheeba E. K.
Logos Books
