My first brush with Sudha Murthy was with Dollar Bahu. I remember being quite unimpressed by her simple language. But the story was very relevant to the times. The reader in me wanted to have a “richer” reading experience. The story had a strong resemblance to AJ Cronin’s The Citadel. Recently I read Gently falls the Bakula. Again, shades of Dollar Bahu in this story though in a completely different setting and the “Bakula” tree as a metaphor was handled very well. I have bought many of her books with short stories. And many of her stories evoke a sense of déjà vu. Of course, she openly says most of them are stories she has heard from her grandmother and other role models. So, maybe I have read them in some other form before. I think Sudha Murthy’s language is simple. And though her writing style does not resonate with me, I think it is this writing style that makes her connect with her audience.
Recently we read Here, There and Everywhere as part of our book club reading. I must tell you something about our book club at this juncture. It is a group of very intelligent and extensively well-read women. Most of them will read related articles and watch related videos. If it is a book on history, some will also study the geography of the period. For me, the book club is my oasis. My anchor in this VUCA world. VUCA stands for Volatile, Uncertain, Complexity and Ambiguity!
Though I could not attend the discussion on Here, There and Everywhere I came to know that the group unanimously felt that she was preachy and focused not only on the moral learnings of the story but also on appreciating herself. Someone used the term “perverse snobbiness”. While I agree that she speaks from a moral high ground and that her stories are pure “telling” no “showing”, this is what I learnt from the stories of Here, There and Everywhere.
1. A Tale of Many Tales
This is an introductory story giving a background of how and why Sudha Murthy started writing. It highlights the role of parents in moulding their children. I like these words of hers– “So, my journey is not mine alone. It is also about the people around me. “……..”I can only tell stories from the heart and in a simple manner. That’s all I really know, and that is also the only thing in the world that is truly mine.”
2. “Amma, What is your Duty?”
As parents we are very eager to teach our children. And we continue to teach them even when they are full grown adults. This is a story of how our children can teach us valuable lessons – by their words and actions. Many of us go through what is popularly called “mid life crisis”. The concept of Ikigai can help us discover something that we are good at, gives us joy and at the same time helps other people and also provide a source of income for us. This is part of the How I taught my Grandmother to Read anthology.
3. Honesty comes from the Heart
A heart warming story which we have heard in other forms from other sources. But a story to remind us of how we may compromise on our values like honesty. E.g. It is a common practice with many to get stationary for personal use from the office. I have done it myself. This action is primarily a result of doing things without awareness.
4. The Red Rice Granary
This is story of misplaced altruism, according to me. While we should definitely give the best, to whomever we may be giving, I feel we should treat ourselves in the same way. Why should we give ourselves the second best?
5. Lazy Portado
This was a story that I thought she was judgemental. Here she categorically extolls the virtues of hard work and dismisses the role of networking and making connections. In today’s world working smart is the buzzword not working hard! Also, work is not transactional any more. Making connections, understanding the other person, communicating your needs and desires, today, are integral to building relationships.
6. A Life Unwritten
This is a heart-warming story reinforcing the maxim “What goes around, Comes around” or “As you sow, so shall you reap”.
7. A Line of Separation
This story will resonate many a people who had to leave their homes during partition. Both my grandparents came from what we called Bangladesh today. I was fortunate to visit Bangladesh and stayed in Dhaka where my mom is from Dad is from Faridpur, which I could not visit, unfortunately. My husband took his parents to Bangladesh and visited my father-in-law’s school and the site of his home.
8. India, the Holy Land
The Dalai Lama means “ocean of knowledge”. Wow! I am proud to be a citizen of a country which is by and large large-hearted and tolerant. Yes, there are the hardliners. But that is necessary to be a wholesome and complete entity. Each entity is a healthy mix of the good, bad and the ugly. This can be loosely correlated to the three gunas of the Sanatan Dharma(Hindu philosophy) – sattva, rajas and tamas.
9. Bonded by Bisleri
This was a new and different story for me. It was also the story that most of my book club members really liked. You must read it to truly experience the feeling of reading such a story.
10. In India, the Worst of both Worlds
Old age is a difficult time. We all have to learn to age graciously. And we all have to have the courage and self-compassion to spend our money on ourselves. An important caveat also is not to will your assets to anybody, especially your children, before your physical death. And from where do children learn to be deceitful, greedy and irreverent? This brings to my mind the Serenity Prayer for parents.
11. How I taught my Grandmother to Read
This story is taken from a book by the same name. It highlights the condition of women in the earlier times. It helps us understand the life that our grand mothers led. And also reinforces the credence that age is no impediment for learning. And the importance of a teacher. I personally believe that true knowledge cannot be obtained only from books. We need a teacher who knows and can therefore help us in the journey.
12. Rahman’s Avva
This story has been told by different people in different ways. While the Hindu-Muslim divide is steeped in our History and is quite “real” in the Indian sub-continent, there are many such endearing stories that bring to life compassion and oneness.
13. Cattle Class
This is a story of stereotypes. I find the first part of the story quite bizarre. But no judgements. Maybe such people exist. And the second part of the story just reinforces the fact that many of us live inauthentic lives and that we have to dress in Rome as the Romans do.
14. The Old Man and his God
While money is important, we don’t need to hoard or amass wealth. We need very little for our needs actually. And it is perfectly ok to want more money for our comforts and luxuries. But where does that end? We have to be mindful of that. And yes, I truly believe there is s higher power that ensures that we get what we need. When I left the corporate rat race, I was very scared and anxious about how things will turn out since I was the one with a much higher salary. I think my husband was worried too. But till date we have never had to deny us anything for the want of money. We have always had the resources and more.
15. A Lesson in Life from a Beggar
Life is teaching us lessons all the time. If we are alert and conscious, we can become aware of them and learn from them. Also, people develop their world views and beliefs from their experiences and their upbringing. We don’t know anything of Meena’s past to know why she was the way she was. Fortunately she was able to find the time and space to observe the beggar and be grateful for all that she had.
16. May you be a Mother of Hundred Children
I am sure there are many of us who have been a mother to many children, to the kids at home to the kids of our friends – taking them on play dates, supporting them during night outs, lending them a patient ear, counselling them,……..
17. Food for Thought
This was an enlightening story. We take so much of our food for granted. Food binds us. The diversity of food in India is remarkable. Undhiya from Gujarat, Avial from the South, Paanch mishaali from Bengal – all mixed vegetables and with different flavours. The country of India is indeed culturally vibrant, diverse in food and yet, distinctly Indian at heart
18. Bombay to Bangalore
Again a heart-warming story reinforcing the maxim “What goes around, Comes around” or “As you sow, so shall you reap”.
19. Miserable Success
This story for me, is related to story #14. Vishnu’s anguish is apparent in his questions - how do I become compassionate? How do I build a strong family? How can I enjoy the sunrise and the moonlight? Also a story telling us that children do what they see, not what they are told.
20. How to Beat the Boys
Today there is a lot of discussion on Diversity and Inclusion primarily with the LGBQTAI and other marginalised communities. And though today we are also talking about the “inclusion” of women in the work force and other areas, I can imagine what she must have gone through being the only girl in her college. I not only applaud her efforts but also the courage of her parents to let her navigate unchartered waters.
21. Three Thousand Stitches
This is a story from a book by the same name. There are some major learnings here. When we decide to help people, we need to step into their shoes and see their perspective. Once we identify their dreams and aspirations, it is very easy to help them in the areas that they need. Also, we need to reduce our expectations – from all our relationships. Also, people do judge a book by its cover. So, dressing appropriately is important. I was reminded of the story Cattle Class! I like the name of this story because I make similar bedspreads from my old clothes.
22. The Meaning of Philanthropy
Philanthropy is a Greek word where philos means loving and anthropos means man. It isn’t about how much a person has but their attitude towards fellow beings. It is compassion, a kind word, a warm hug and a little sharing that makes us better human beings. If we are lucky enough to be rich, then we need to build a longer table not higher walls. If a person can be compassion and with a loving attitude, then he or she can make a definite change in society.
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