Haruki Murakami - The Elephant Vanishes

This book of Murakami is a strangely written book. I sense that the translation isn't as subtle; it might make a brilliant read in Japanese. Alas! I cannot do that!

That apart, the stories that come in the book, one after the other, give a modern view of Japan and how the identity of Japan is diluting ever so gently at the periphery, in the living rooms, in far-off woods and all over :)

You will get a sense of stilted relationships in each narrative. That seems to stem from the identity or lack thereof - a kind of 'spiritual emptiness' describes characters! It almost seems like a pointless book, but then why should there always be a point with a book :). It slowly grows on us. After his "Norwegian Woods", this seems distant. And I am glad it does, plainly because Murakami-san shows events, builds them into a strange tone and makes you walk with him. There is no Marquez kind of quality, but Murakami has a distinct voice! Overall, read it and you would know.

Om Puri's Biography

Last week I started reading the biography of Om Puri (the renowned actor). There is a lot of content in the book, but at some level it was a disappointing biography. The content presentation was more like a newspaper column - no literary merit. Biographies need sustained writing style and must have strong structure, flow and narrative, but these elements went missing. Having strong content alone does not make for a good biography.

In the same breath, I must admit that there were interesting nuggets and details that came to light about this wonderful actor who has scaled peaks plainly on merit and competence - his acting skills.

The fact that he actually pulled rickshaws on the streets of Kolkatta for months as preparation for his role in 'City of Joy" (LaPierre's book) was staggering. Nandita Puri brings out many facts and it is an honest biography. That needs to be lauded. Neither is it seeping with humility nor is it a narcissistic presentation - it is just shared.

It is definitely a good read, but could have been a lot better had the narrative been taut, structure tight and flow organized!

गिलहरी - आरोही

मेरे आँगन में चेहेकती हुई गौरैया

अमरुद के पेड़ पर अमरुद कुतरती गिलहरी

और आरोही ....

धूप की तरह दौड़ती-फिरती हमारे आँगन में

किसी भी छोटी सी उलाहना के साए में

आँसूं छलकाती...

माँ के हाथ की बनी सोंधी रोटी

नन्हे हाथों में लिए बड़ी शान से

चिड़ियों को बांटती फिरती ...

हमारी गिलहरी 'आरोही'!

कल रात सपने में

अपनी सखी को झिड़कती हुई

होठों पर हलकी सी मुस्कान की छवी दिखा कर

फिर मीठी नींद में सो गयी

गौरैया सी हमारी 'आरोही'

दर्शन-चिंतन में मग्न हमारी ये नन्ही

हमारे जीवन को रोज़ नया आयाम देती हुई

आँगन में दौड़ती फिरती है दिन-रात