My humble tribute to Kakkanadan

It was at the age of fourteen that I read Japana Pukayila, a classic (off course, for a ninth standard student at that time it was a classic) work from George Varghese Kakkanadan, a legendary writer who mesmerized many generations with his eccentric work. Later, while I was studying in my pre-degree, I borrowed some books from ‘Yamuna’- the one and only library in my remote village, was sponsored by the Gram Panchayath. I got few other books of Kakkanadan, which often seemed like a bold rebellion against the harsh realities of life or the brush -off of the rigid line of morality that prevailed in the then society.

While I was studying for degree, I got thousands of Malayalam books from my college. They were considered as an addiction of youths of the 70’s and 80’s, thus I too got mesmerized with the magic of words. Apart from my political activities, I spent more in the libraries. Sometimes I bunked my literature and political science classes to catch up with some reading in the library.

By that time, my preferences ranged from O.V.Vijayan to Madavikutty, Sanjayen to Mukundan, Muhammed Basheer to Sakkariya. But to be frank, among all these authors I always admired Kakkanadan. This could be because of his way of expressing emotions or even his realistic language that depicted the reality very well.

Later, when I was doing my post graduation, I was able to create a collection of many of his books with my small income, which I earned by giving private tuitions. His works had a great impinge on the younger generation of Malayalam readers, which, triggered with full of realism and crazy boldness.

His exceptional works such as Ushnamekhala, Vasoori, Japana Pukayila, Kakkanadante Priyakathakal, Saakshi, Orotha, Kambolam, Parangimala and others were known as a trend setter in Malayalam literature. Most of his works bump in to a kind of adroitness in terms of value and tradition.

Many acclaims and awards came naturally to Kakkanadan. His Orotha, which depicts the story of Minachil River and a small village named Chorppukkal won him the 1984 Kerala Sahithya Akademi award. He got Kendra Sahithya academy award in 2005 for his masterpiece Parangimala. His lucid and radiant language attracted people from all walks of life and presented him with the Balamaniamma award, Padma Prabha award and Muttath Varkey award.

Finally the truth is that we lost that charming story teller once and for all… And that itself made an empty space in the realistic crown of Malayalam literature.

Kakkanadan is a rare genius to be known by his name, with his work and through his alluring language; he left behind a fertile legacy for the generations to come, May his soul rest in peace.

Three angels bag the Nobel for Peace

In his 1895 will, award creator Alfred Nobel gave only vague guidelines for the peace prize, saying it should honor "work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.

"This year the Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel peace prize for 2011 is to be divided in three equal parts between Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah gbowee and Tawakkul Karman for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for womens’s rights to full participation in peace- building work

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf 

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the first woman to win a free presidential election in Africa. Sirleaf, a former World Bank economist known as the "Iron Lady" by opponents, was seen as a reformer and peacemaker in Liberia when she took office as the President.

Since her inauguration in 2006, she has contributed to securing peace in Liberia, to promoting economic and social development, and to strengthening the position of women. Sirleaf was born in Monrovia and studied economics and accounts at college of West Africa. At the age of 17 she married James Sirleaf and went to US for higher studies. After gaining a Master of Public Administration degree, she returned to her native Liberia to work under the government of William Tolbert. She got the Vice President ticket of the Liberian Action Party in the 1985 elections, thus paved her way to the politics.

Tawakkul Karman

Tawakkul Karman is a leader of anti-government protests in Yemen. She is the first Arab woman to win the peace prize. She has played a leading part in the struggle for women’s rights and for democracy and peace in Yemen.

Karman, mother of three, now lives in the capital Sanaa. She is a journalist and member of the Islamic party Al-Islah and heads the human rights group Women Journalists without Chains. Her father is a former legal affairs minister under Saleh.

Leymah Gbowee

Leymah Gbowee of Liberia, who campaigned against the use of rape as a weapon in her country's brutal civil war, ensured women’s participation in elections. She mobilized and organized women across ethnic and religious dividing lines to bring an end to the long war in Liberia.

Gbowee was born in central Liberia. During the time of first Liberian civil war, she moved to Monrovia at the age of 17. She trained as a trauma counselor and worked with the ex-child soldiers of Charles Taylors army.

In 2003, Gbowee led hundreds of female protesters through Monrovia to demand swift disarmament of fighters who preyed on women during her country's near-constant civil war.

Gbowee, mother of six, works in Ghana's capital as the director of Women Peace and Security Network Africa.

Last year's peace prize went to imprisoned Chinese human rights activist Liu Xiaobo for his non violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China.

Well done …you done it!!