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Tales Once Told: Legends
of Kerala
Based on the Ithihyamala, an eight volume compilation of Kerala legends written in Malayalam by Kottarathil Sankunni in the last century, Eraly’s Tales are a condensed and restructured form of the rambling stories in the original, that have only been enhanced in the retelling. "There is something in the soil of Kerala, or perhaps in its air, that gives an irreverent and sardonic bent to the character of Malayalis." The very first sentence of the book sets the tone. Full of anecdotes about pranksters and wits, noble thieves and magical cures, eccentric rulers and love-lorn Yakshis, the Tales are an enchanting m`E9lange of simple wisdom and delightful humour. Abraham Eraly has achieved what many writers strive for—he has rewritten the past in a manner that makes it more accessible. Under his expert handling, legendary characters like Sakthan Thamburan, Tholan kavi and Thevalssery Damodaran Nambi take on a new life and suddenly do not seem quite so distant anymore. Interspersed is practical advice like the quote from Charaka Samhita, the ancient Indian medical classic, that holds true even today, "A good physician should have four essential qualities—thorough knowledge, extensive experience, resourcefulness, and cleanliness". We learn about jousting; the martial-arts tradition; herbal cures; marriage traditions and a host of other details that make up Kerala’s rich cultural heritage. There are references to historic works of literature like Mahabhashyam, Patanjali’s second century BC commentary on Panini’s Sanskrit grammar and Bhartrihari, the great seventh century Sanskrit poet. The wonder is in discovering the unexpected riches within the casual detail. In one of the tales, Bhrandran, a local madman challenges the goddess Kali by refusing to move from a cemetery where Kali and her host of howling nether-world spirits wished to dance. The goddess tries every trick to scare him away but none works, till she finally relents and grants him a boon instead. In others a low-caste teaches an Agnihotri a test for virtuous wives and two exorcists battle it out to see who has greater powers. The book encapsulates a mix of warriors, saints, educationists, poets and writers. The collection is as rich as it is varied. A joyous rendition of an ancient past, what shines through is the obvious pride the author feels in his history and his sincerity in sharing the knowledge. The striking illustrations for the stories by Jayachandran are in themselves a treat, supporting hilarious stories which can be enjoyed by children as much as adults.
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Kerala