The Magic of Reading

           Today, June 19, being National Reading Day observed in honour of Shri P. N. Panicker, the Father of Library Movement, the Malayalam Association of our college "Amogha" had organized a reading competition, "Vayana Jalakam". The competition focussed on clarity and fluency in reading Malayalam. 

         One student each from the seven optional subjects participated in the competition. I had the opportunity to participate in the programme representing the Department of English.  An excerpt from O. V. Vijayan's path-breaking novel Khasakinte Ithihasam was given to us for reading. The novel, famous for its use of raw rural slang of the village Thasrak in Palakkad, was so influential that the literary history itself got marked as two epochs - the one before Khasak and the one after Khasak.

Through the world of Khasak

      It was a challenge to read the book with absolute commitment to its essence, because of both its language and the philosophy it presents. However, I found it truly exciting and even nostalgic to be on stage for reading a book.. that too in Malayalam, my mother tongue. I found the the book chosen for the competition a bit coincidental also, as I had visited the village Thasrak, where the novel is set, hardly two weeks ago. So, I was literally roaming around Thasrak while reading the excerpt on stage.

          To add to my excitement, I got first prize in the competition and received another gem, Shri Muttathu Varkey's renowned book Oru Kudayum Kunjupengalum  as the prize - The gift of reading getting awarded with a gift for reading... It was a moment!!!

       Certainly, the points we need to reflect on this day are our increased detachment from the world of books and reduced reading habits. No matter how much information is presented as ready-made and easy-to-swallow packets by the advanced technological resources, the pleasure of holding a real book, moving gently through its pages, feeling with the author and living with it are irreplaceable experiences. As Earnest Hemingway told, "There is no friend as loyal as a book."