Book is not dead, long live the book, says Jaishree Misra : Karoor's novel 'Malabar Aflame' launched (Kurian Pampadi)

“The book as we know is not dead yet. As reading habits have changed, it is appearing on myriad digital platforms like blogs,” says novelist Jaishree Misra. “Hence the future is riddled with post modern angst. The new writers should brace themselves to take on new challenges,” she told a group of young English students attending a seminar on 'post modern riddles for before Indo-Anglian writers' at the Institute of English, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram.

Releasing London-based Karoor Soman's debut English novel 'Malabar Aflame' at the function organized by the Centre for Cultural Studies of the University, Ms Misra said that many parts of the book reflected what she knew of London and the United Kingdom as a resident as well as guest to book fairs like the Daily Telegraph Hay-on-Wye Festival.

“The Number 12 London Double Decker shown on the cover of the book is also very familiar as I used to travel by it while studying in the University of London,” recalled Jaishree. (Since then and after eight novels, she has come to settle down at the ocean front in  the Kerala capital at her new home 'Ocean Spray).Antony the protagonist of the novel who reaches London at the beginning of the post War London and the anti-hero Ali Haji are living legends of the London that I knew. The challenges they face over the years up to the current third generation is as vivid as life in East Ham or Kings Cross. 

A writer with deep roots in Kerala, Jaishree is a grand niece of Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai. She feels that but for English that she choose for self expression, she would not have come up for approbation outside Kerala and outside India. In spite of regional languages remaining vibrant, it is an international language like English that nurtures us as a writer of known caliber. Her interactions with the outside world have been a great influence on her, she confessed. She mentioned KR Meera's Malayalam novel 'Aarachar' reaching 50,000 copies especially after being translated into English.

Dr. Jancy James, former two-times vice chancellor of MG University, Kottayam and the first vice chancellor of the Central University of Kerala, Kasargod, who moderated the seminar, said that but for her accidental foray into the world of administration, she would have remained a teacher and a writer, something that she still cherishes. It is not all lost because her son, who is a technocrat, has become a writer (with his second book on its way out) and her daughter, a PhD in Law, is a voracious reader.

“Think aloud to find if you have anything to say. If you find that you have, then only take up the pen,” advised C. Balagopal, an IAS-turned businessman who has lately become a successful writer. His first book 'On a Clear Day, You can see India', published by Harper Collins is a n anecdotic recall of his days as a young IAS trainee in Manipur. His second book on his experiences as Sub Collector in Kollam is coming out soon.

Dr. Suja Kurup, Associate professor and Director, Centre for Australian Studies, initiated the discussions with a welcome address. Kurian Pampadi, introduced Karoor Soman and the book. Doctoral researcher Sucheta Sankar proposed vote of thanks. 

Dr. Maya Dutt, Dean of Arts, Dr. B. Hariharan, Professor of English, writer Rakesh Varma and Dr. Mini Nair were among those who participated. The Centre for Cultural Studies has Dr. Meena T. Pillai, Associate Professor, as its director. Karoor's novel is brought out by Media House, New Delhi.

Text and images by By Kurian Pampadi