O V Vijayan is no more

Bigzero · Mar 30th, 2005, 15:34

... Long before the lizards, before the dinosaurs, two spores set out on an incredible journey. They came to a valley bathed in the placid glow of sunset.
My elder sister, said the little spore to the bigger spore, let us see what lies beyond. This valley is green, replied the bigger spore, I shall journey no farther.
I want to journey, said the little spore, I want to discover.
She gazed in wonder at the path before her. Will you forget your sister ? asked the bigger spore.
Never, said the little spore.
You will little one, for this is the loveless tale of karma; in it there is only parting and sorrow.
The little spore journeyed on. The bigger spore stayed back in the valley. Her root pierced the damp earth and sought the nutrients of death and memory. She sprouted over the earth, green and contended.

... A girl with silver anklets and eyes prettied with surma came to Chetali's valley to gather flowers. The Chempaka tree stood alone-efflorescent, serene. The flower gatherer reached out and held down a soft twig to pluck the flowers. As the twig broke the Chempaka said, My little sister you have forgotten me !

- O.V.Vijayan "Legends of Khasak"

Noted Novelist and Cartoonist O.V.Vijayan passed away today morning in Hyderabad following a prolonged illness. I don't know how many IMers know him - he had an iconic status among malayalees like me, with his works like Legends of Khasak, Dharmapuranam, Gurusagaram etc. Many of his works have been translated to english, mostly by Vijayan himself.

Some links:
http://www.dcbooks.com/ovvijayan/profile.htm
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/se...445824-8816057
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/200...1100730100.htm

soulfood · Mar 30th, 2005, 16:09

I didn't know about O V Vijayan but reading the Hindu story, I spotted this pic in which he looks like....
Jesus Christ with a pair of glasses.

dani · Mar 30th, 2005, 18:01

not really, soulfood, Jesus died young

Bigzero · Apr 1st, 2005, 10:15

Here is a link to an interview with the author in 1998.

http://http://in.rediff.com/news/2005/mar/31intera.htm

Zymurgist · Apr 1st, 2005, 12:56

Another legend passes by. His cartoons were trenchant. I always thought of him as a cartoonist until I read his "Infinity of Grace" (english translation) and I was truly moved. What a wonderful book. I am planning to read the rest of his oeuvre...
R.I.P -- O.V

Bigzero · Apr 1st, 2005, 13:26

try out legends of khasak first - it will hit you... i am still reeling from the effect ( of course it helps a little if you have a background - will help you to visualize it better )

Zymurgist · Apr 1st, 2005, 13:33

Definitely will do. Thanks for the suggestion. Just curious as to what you meant by background? FYI, I am originally from Hyderabad:-)

Bigzero · Apr 1st, 2005, 13:43

better then, best if you are from kerala

Zymurgist · Apr 1st, 2005, 13:48

Enda Chaiyya:-)

Bigzero · Apr 1st, 2005, 14:06

....

Mar 30th, 2005, 15:34	#1
Bigzero back to my old ways Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,483	O V Vijayan is no more ... Long before the lizards, before the dinosaurs, two spores set out on an incredible journey. They came to a valley bathed in the placid glow of sunset. My elder sister, said the little spore to the bigger spore, let us see what lies beyond. This valley is green, replied the bigger spore, I shall journey no farther. I want to journey, said the little spore, I want to discover. She gazed in wonder at the path before her. Will you forget your sister ? asked the bigger spore. Never, said the little spore. You will little one, for this is the loveless tale of karma; in it there is only parting and sorrow. The little spore journeyed on. The bigger spore stayed back in the valley. Her root pierced the damp earth and sought the nutrients of death and memory. She sprouted over the earth, green and contended. ... A girl with silver anklets and eyes prettied with surma came to Chetali's valley to gather flowers. The Chempaka tree stood alone-efflorescent, serene. The flower gatherer reached out and held down a soft twig to pluck the flowers. As the twig broke the Chempaka said, My little sister you have forgotten me ! - O.V.Vijayan "Legends of Khasak" Noted Novelist and Cartoonist O.V.Vijayan passed away today morning in Hyderabad following a prolonged illness. I don't know how many IMers know him - he had an iconic status among malayalees like me, with his works like Legends of Khasak, Dharmapuranam, Gurusagaram etc. Many of his works have been translated to english, mostly by Vijayan himself. Some links: http://www.dcbooks.com/ovvijayan/profile.htm http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/se...445824-8816057 http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/200...1100730100.htm __________________ miles to go.... Bigzero's Photo Gallery

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Mar 30th, 2005, 16:09	#2
soulfood Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Delhi Posts: 467	I didn't know about O V Vijayan but reading the Hindu story, I spotted this pic in which he looks like.... Jesus Christ with a pair of glasses.

Mar 30th, 2005, 18:01	#3
dani मेरा नाम Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Switzerland Posts: 500	not really, soulfood, Jesus died young

Apr 1st, 2005, 10:15	#4
Bigzero back to my old ways Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,483	Here is a link to an interview with the author in 1998. http://http://in.rediff.com/news/2005/mar/31intera.htm

Apr 1st, 2005, 12:56	#5
Zymurgist Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 26	Another legend passes by. His cartoons were trenchant. I always thought of him as a cartoonist until I read his "Infinity of Grace" (english translation) and I was truly moved. What a wonderful book. I am planning to read the rest of his oeuvre... R.I.P -- O.V

Apr 1st, 2005, 13:26	#6
Bigzero back to my old ways Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,483	try out legends of khasak first - it will hit you... i am still reeling from the effect ( of course it helps a little if you have a background - will help you to visualize it better )

Apr 1st, 2005, 13:33	#7
Zymurgist Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 26	Definitely will do. Thanks for the suggestion. Just curious as to what you meant by background? FYI, I am originally from Hyderabad:-)

Apr 1st, 2005, 13:43	#8
Bigzero back to my old ways Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,483	better then, best if you are from kerala

Apr 1st, 2005, 13:48	#9
Zymurgist Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 26	Enda Chaiyya:-)

Apr 1st, 2005, 14:06	#10
Bigzero back to my old ways Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,483	....

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