Kissing sound dictionary.... what you feel by hearing it? I am just trying to translate the title of the book, don’t know if it is the correct translation but it definitely reach somewhere near. The overflow of yellow in the cover made me more intriguing and within no time I took the book in my hand and turned its leaves. This is some six months back. Usually I get the feel of the book by turning the pages. Then, for this book, Chumbana Shabdha Tharavali, I got the feel of tricky porn writing to get readership, I mean in my first turning of the book. I can not be blamed for forming this very wrong conclusion (which I assume is only a marketing strategy) for I could see, Lick kiss, butterfly kiss, fruity kiss, eskimo kiss, hickey kiss, zib kiss and some 30 plus kisses in the beginning of the book. It definitely put a yellow shadow on my eyes, and sex references in some turned pages didn’t help but to make a conclusion that it is a ’bad’ book for me. I must have turned the book 3 or 4 different times again, attracted to the cover of the book or the sex reference I don’t know but in all occasions I kept the book back. Only after I come across the ’Kathakal’ by Indu Menon (Which I am yet to read), I give a thought that the impression the book gave away must be a false one. I decide to take a risk (see what a risk taker I am!) and bought it after a thorough consideration.
I have no clue that my opinion is going to change. Soon reading the first story, ’Choklian’, I realise that the writer is not what the false image projected for the book. A hell of a talent in writing! I am now deep into the mesmeric narrative which shook me well to make my thoughts straight and I am now passionate for the ’Choklian’ and his emotional cord to his child in midst of socio injustice linked to poverty. Here the daughter of Choklian is been a victim not only for poverty but also gender bias. This accumulated burden on innocent souls wakes up reader conscience instantly. Brilliant I thought and I can easily give an 8.5/10 for this exceptional story.
Without any break, I barge to the second story, ’Rakthakali - Rakthakali’. (Blood Goddess - Blood Goddess) There is no such novelty in this predictable story, but the brilliance in narration made all the difference. It is a perfect example of how good writing can take an ordinary story to a higher level. Women being victim of all Indu Menon stories (?), there had no suspense but the revenge factor mixed with the myth worked. A very good story. 8/10.
Now comes the third story, ’Pithavum Kanyakayum AT Daddy U Bastrd’. (Father and virgin at Daddy you Bastrd.’ Set in an unrealistic horizon under normal circumstances the story tells about a Daddy’s infatuation to his daughter’s classmate who is the only left virgin in the class and want to give the virginity away to somebody who loves her. The fate of her in the climax could not be otherwise, but the story was more a philosophical mirror turned to new generation literature and media. The writer in Indu Menon takes a back seat where the writer was busy struggling to realistically present an unrealistic situation. Sad, I noticed, the rating scale is getting lower again. 5.5/10.
’Oru Extra Nadiyude Admakatha’ (Autobiography of an extra actress) is a normal story of an extra actress, which we have heard several time but Indu Menon tries to tell how the new generation kids will ’use’ this experience to form conclusions and take decisions as their own to climb ladders. Concept was good, narration was weak, especially in the climax. 4.5/10
’Athmarahasyam’.(Secret of soul) This is a story different from other typecast stories. Here the jealousy factor works in women, even if it is sister, portrays very well. Was it a jealousy or precaution, the reader may have the liberty. The writer flourishes and reading was a good experience. 7/10
’Chumbanashabdatharavali’ (Kissing sound dictionary) the title story doesn’t impress much. Trying to be different and to make it special, the basic story telling takes a back seat. 4.5/10
’Jandhu’ (Animal). Gruesome! Sadistic to the hilt, the book should get a perfect Adult read rating, if there is one existing for literature. The story can arise some sympathy to the victims of cruelty if not the ultimate victims. Set aside the cruelty factor (if you can and only if you don’t have an animal within your mind), the story factor is ok. I have a mixed thought about it and will end up giving a 5/10 (averaging 7 and 3)
’Karimoosayude chuvanna vithukal’ is a writing need special mention. Brilliantly wrote story with abundance of symbols and emotions, this story bring back the talent. Very good! 8/10
Being the first book to read from this author, I can vouch that the author has this abundance of talent in writing. I however, felt that limiting her writings on feminist subject is suicidal. Humanity waits outside. The writer should attempt to kindle the fire of humanity with her god given talent to reach a level her writing is capable of. For this book of Chumbana Shabda Tharavali, it is a mix of very good and average stories. A good read to say the maximum but the author is capable of better.