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translations of a few stories |
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An hour must have
elapsed, Shailaja fell asleep. Mohan got up and went to Rajeev's
room and put on the light. He was sleeping hugging a pillow. There
were four other pillows on four sides. He says it is a fortress
and that sleeping inside makes him secure and fearless. He
wouldn't say what the pillow that he is hugging is meant? That's
his secret.
By the side of the pillow lay the picture of the dinosaur he had
drawn. He has tried to make its face look prettier by colouring
it. Mohan stooped and kissed Rajeev's cute face, and then softly
licked his cheeks.
He felt immensely
jealous of the dinosaur who watches Rajeev through the window and
licks his cheeks in moments of liking. He wishes painfully if he
could become a dinosaur that keep vigil at his bed throughout
night.
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Originally
published in Kalakaumudi Weekly. Included in the collection by
the same name, which won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award.
Translated by the author. |
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Originally
published in Manorama Easter Issue, and included in the
collection "Pachhappayyine Pidikkan" or "To
Catch a Grasshopper". The story "The Greatest
Show" translated by E. Satish Narayanan. |
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The elevator was on the
ground floor, and he could walk in and press
the 8th button that will take him to his flat on the eighth floor.
He could sit in the sofa and remove his shoes and relax by
selecting any of the 30 odd channels in the TV and sipping the cup
of tea that Sarada has brought with Dosa or Banana fruit fry.
But he did not enter the elevator. He
retraced his steps and went out of the gates. He fished out
his purse from the pocket. Yes, there is a lot of money in it. He
could give one Rupee, or why not two Rupees? ‘What a
chicken-heart you have’, he asks himself. ‘What is two Rupees
worth these days. Is it worth a morsel of food?’
He took out a ten-Rupee note and kept aside.
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In
the taxi, which took them to their flat, it was comfortable. But
she was worried. She felt her abdomen with quivering hands, and
instantly convulsive sobs filled her breast and choked her. She
wanted to weep, lonely to her own heart's content. She wished if
her husband started repenting. But there was no sign of remorse on
his face. He was staring blankly through the windshield and she
felt desolate. |
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Originally
published in Mathrubhumi Weekly, and included in the
collection by the same name. Translation by the author. A
telefilm was made based on this story and telecast in Dooradarshan. |
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| Published in the literary magazine "Sameeksha",
and translated by Dr. S.P. Ramesh. This story is included in
collection "Kumkumam Vithariya Vazhikal" or
"Alleys Sprinkled with Vermillion". |
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It was then that he
noticed the girl on the rocks below - moving in a dance, the
dainty steps. Her loin was covered from the waist with green
leaves. Gracefully moving her full breasts and abundant thighs she
was dancing. Suddenly he had the delusional awareness of his
loneliness and his thoughts hovered around the insipid boredom of
his cave. .......................................................
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It was precisely then that something strange happened. The music
of the mountains came to an abrupt halt. In the void that
followed, he saw her - motionless - looking at him with imploring
eyes. His hands moved not. The rock he was holding dropped
involuntarily and crashing against the rocks below, scattered to
pieces. On the tree top, a yellow bird with a long tail made some
noise of reproach. The bamboo trees screamed in their creaking
noise. He ran up to her. |
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This story "Karutha Thambratti" or "Black
Mistress" was originally published in Malayala Manorama
Annual Issue, and included in the collection of same name.
Translated by Poornima Varman and Reena Thankachan.
Please visit Abhivykti Web page:
www.abhivyakti-hindi.org/sahityasangam/malkin/malkin3.htm
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