SHORT TAKES
Satire in epistles
Randeep Wadehra

Gandhi’s Epistle to Obama
By KB Ganapathy.
Leadstart Publishing.
Pages 88. Rs 125.

Although shown singular in the title these are, actually, 20 epistles serialised in the form of a meandering, near-witty narrative that wriggles through a web of digressions, flashbacks and detours. These fictional epistles are from Ganapathy’s column published in a Mysore-based newspaper run by him. While the narrative is based mainly on information already in the public domain Ganapathy has given it a readable twist by, firstly, creating "K.B. Gandhi" as his pseudonym-cum-alter ego. This Gandhi is son of a schoolteacher who lived "without borrowing a pie". Secondly, almost midway through the narrative, he introduces a character whose surname is Kutty — common among Kerala’s Hindus, Muslims and Christians. This character, too, assumes all the three religious identities for promoting his worldly interests. From a mere fishmonger, Kutty eventually becomes a rich and powerful politician.

This book is an attempt to satirise our polity wherein hypocrisy, corruption and other evils prevail. The under-played humour adds to the bite. However, often, the writer stretches a point too far — like Obama’s mixed race parentage; in fact he returns to this theme so often that you begin to yawn a bit. Similarly, Kutty’s need for changing his religious identity in order to climb up the social ladder is a bit unconvincing. He could have done it without having to take on other identities. Moreover, spreading the Kutty saga over several epistles and digressing to various national and international issues only distracts the reader. If it was the writer’s intention to portray Kutty as some sort of socio-political metaphor, then one must say that Ganapathy has not succeeded.

Graphology
By Pt. Gopal Krishan.
Aggarwal Parkashan.
Pages 131. Rs 396.

Graphology studies and analyses an individual’s handwriting in order to understand his psychology. It is also believed to be a useful diagnostic tool in medical science. There are three approaches to graphology: the integrative approach, the holistic approach, and the symbolic analysis.

Integrative approach holds that specific stroke structures relate to particular personality traits. Holistic approach constructs a profile on the basis of form, movement and space. Here, sample handwriting’s individual traits are not assigned definite meanings, but vary according to the context. Symbolic approach looks for symbols in the strokes of sample handwriting. These symbols are then interpreted according to a certain procedure.

This book, after enunciating the principles of graphology, provides a systematic knowledge of the manner in which various types of handwriting are analysed. This volume is a valuable handbook for students of graphology.

Under The Poetree
By Lakshmi Shankar.
Virgin Leaf Books.
Pages 35. Rs 95.

Children love myths and fairy tales. They also find irresistible anything that piques their imagination. Perhaps, for this reason alone poems have been more successful in capturing their fancy than that of adults.

It is not easy to write poetry for children. One must be gifted with extraordinary imagination, an insight into a child’s psyche and the ability to create an imaginary world that appears real to a child. A world peopled by exotic, colourful beings living in the woods and meadows or among the stars or any such out-of-the-world location with a touch of mystery to it. No wonder, children’s literature comprises riddles, fables, legends, myths, nursery rhymes and folktales.

This collection has some beautiful poems that would appeal to children in the kindergarten. Simple, lucid lyrics conjure up familiar images in charming hues — flowers, raindrops, rainbows, bees and butterflies. The cadence echoes long after one has completed reading this slim volume.

HOME