Thursday, May 30, 2019

My Latest Book for Reviewers is here...!


I am happy to announce a piece of important news. A milestone in my journey of writing.13 of my short stories to be brought out shortly under the title of "The Riverside man and other short stories" and the cover pages are given in the post for you all. In fact, all the stories have taken place in this blog and after being considered the importance of these stories to be a printed book form, now I have geared up to have accomplished the task as soon as possible.

Received brilliant feedback from prolific writers, voracious readers and some of the accolades have been placed on the last cover page. All I would say is the book will be of its own class by the terms of narrative and landscapes were chosen. Most of the stories revolved around a non-fictional town where I have experienced many an incident in flesh and blood. A judicious mix of imagination too added to enhance the quality of readability.

I would also like to talk a bit about the cover page design. It's benign subtility with a loner nearby tall trees, foliages, and watching abandoned shelters in solitude enriched the total expression of the collection of my stories. I thought that it has been drawn only in view of it. I requested the artist and he obliged happily. He is none other than Sri Vadrevu Ch. Veerabhadrudu garu. A great writer, poet, essayist, painter and a household name among the Telugu diaspora across the world. Thanking him profusely for his kind gesture.

Blogger friends, you are cordially welcome to review my book on your blog space. Please send your postal address to my inbox so that I can mail it by post or couriers, with postage free. Sorry, no PDF or soft copy. I don't like to put it on any other platforms except on my website and publisher's website for sale. I know, book promotion is an arduous task but I have my own plans regarding it. Let me test the waters.


Monday, May 13, 2019

Memorabilia..! (A Story by Murthy Kvvs)

Memorabilia..! (A Story By Murthy Kvvs)

There are two reasons to step into Mysore. First, I have got a call from CIIL to attend the classes of translation studies. And the second one, to have a visit to the memorial house of Late R.K.Narayan, one of the eminent writers of India. I had written a letter to him during my college days after reading his novel 'Swamy and his friends'.Response from the stalwart was not expected as I was a just common reader among innumerable book lovers. Miraculously I received a letter from him. His signature under the lines typed on the white paper gave me immense joy and which had addressed none other than me. I had shown the letter to my friends and lecturers, in a spurt of enthusiasm. Everybody held me in great respect thereafter.

Thus R.K.Narayan entered my life giving me some special place in my circle. I started reading all his other works with great attention. Our college library became my favorite nestle whenever I had free time. All this was about more than three decades back. But the impact of such reading moved me to further shores regarding observing things around me and trying to pen it at times. I should say it's my initial inspiration to the journey of literary pursuits. Now I am in Mysore. But R.K.Narayan is no more. He passed away several years back, yet, there is a house where he lived once turned a memorial one at present. However, I have to be there for some time. See the magic of time, I am going to be there where he lived in flesh and blood, once upon a time. To experience his presence there.

"Do you know Yadava giri. How far from here?" I asked Dr.Sharma after having settled down on the campus of CIIL. He also came here to attend translation classes. Well acquainted with Mysore since he had visited it several times.

"Just a couple of miles. Accessible by autos, wish to visit R,K. Narayan's home? " He guessed it amazingly.

"Yes...you are right"

"Don't worry. First, let's see other places like Madikeri, Coorg, and someones in Kerala in our leisure and at last, you can see that. No problem" He suggested.

The training program encompasses almost one month. Every Sunday is a holiday, so we started going to places which were in and around Mysore. It gives us fresh air after the hectic schedule of the classes. There was a mini India in our campus literally, comprising of candidates from all states. In this way, a living example of national integration on the pretext of Translation mission. An exhilarating sight with different ages of candidates.Students, research scholars, Journos, teachers, and all other walks of life who were interested in Translation work. It's a skill enhancement program conducted by CIIL, a govt. of India organization.

 Garden City has many interesting things to explore. With its heritage of sandalwood, silk and Royal Palace the green cover across the streets is stupendous. On one Sunday, some young people planned to visit Sultan bathery and nearby falls in Kerala. Almost 2 hours drive. We have also joined by paying charges for the trip. It was just like an educational tour, by knowing many things about the places.

Mr.Sharma, a German professor and I were from Telugu states. Hence we made into a peer group. And there was no dearth of fulfillment what a true traveler wished to have over a trip like this. There were other people mostly younger than us who made it hilarious in all respects. In return, we have covered some other places. Altogether a successful trip. After that, we all made our way to Ooty, Coorg, Nagara Hole and so on successively on different holidays. Not to say about roaming across the Mysore streets in the evening leisure times. Mysore cuisine deeply influenced by the Udupi style. We liked it very much.

Our campus seemed to have sprawled in almost one hundred acres or maybe more than it with buildings for many departments and hostels. By evening after classes ended, all we trainees were gathered on the green lawns in front of the hostel. And some have gone out for chilling their own way. And some were strolling after their dinner. There I have met two research scholars, Kamal Raj, and B.T.Reddy. They said that the training certificate would be useful for their future endeavors.

The young were more advantageous as they have a great weapon, the time. They would be professors or highly well placed in the future if they use it prudently. Cultural front too to be discussed here. In intervals of lectures, many trainees showcased their talent in singing, poetry recital and other crafts. How diverse and fascinating India is with all these mystified spirits of unity..!

Dr.Sharma had sung a song on the contribution of Kannada cultural greats like Pampa, Ranna, Kuvempu, Basaveswara and other stalwarts. I was overwhelmed on knowing this Kannada song was written by himself only. Being a Telugu one, penning such a wonderful Kannada song..? I requested him to upload it on Youtube. I am still waiting for the moment.

Time is nearing to departure. All these days brought me my college life back. Lectures of great experts maneuvered my spirits anew with unseen avenues. Mouthwatering dishes over chatting with new friends. Friends like mentors Tariq Khan and Anwar sirs. Above all the mosaic of different states' people yet to miss. What about your visiting to the memorial of R.K.Narayan's..? I know you're all going to ask me the same question.

Well..! I was to visit it alone as Dr.Sharma got his reservation ticket a bit earlier. I resumed walking up to St.Joseph's school and got an auto to get down at the Vivekananda Road where the wizard of Malgudi lived in a two storied house. The ambiance was cool with huge trees and neat roads around. There in the register signed and entered with a tinge of excitement. Every article used by the Malgudi creator kept in with utmost care. The writing desk, chair, bed, pens, photos, dresses, books and many things showcased for the visitors. Definitely one feels his existence in the astral plane. Did he believe in paranormal activities..? Yes, in his novel of 'the English teacher', the protagonist's wife was used to speak him after her death. He described it to have happened in a garden with the help of a particular person who kept meditating on the subject. I tiptoed out of the house.

What to do freeze this moment in the fashion of tributing the great soul..! I started thinking in many ways. At last, I decided to write a short story, however, the quality it would be of, a tribute with a few words to my favorite writer..! Let his soul forgive this greenhorn in case any morass being created by me on the pretext. (By Murthy Kvvs)

Saturday, May 4, 2019

The Riverside Man (A Story by Murthy Kvvs)


" A Six year old girl was missing in the crowd.Wearing green dress and with blue ribbons.Her name was Soumya and native of Kurnool.Please take the kid to the enquiry counter nearby northern gate of the temple.Her parents were in deep grief and waiting eagerly for the girl" announcement blared up in the mike.I am used to this kind of missing news, especially on the occasion of Sri Rama navami celebrations at our temple town Bhadrachalam.Visitors throng here from far and wide to witness the wedding ceremony of the celestial couple Lord Rama and his consort Seeta Ma.Dharmasalas, Lodges and all other outlets of the sort remain filled with devotees.The town is decked up like a new bride itself.

With the advent of Globalization cars, jeeps and other vehicles made available to the public in large way.That impact is evident here when we see the beeline of automobiles in front of every hotel and lodge, not only on the occasion of Sri Rama navami festival, but also on weekends and holidays.From here one would go to Perantapalli resorts via boat cruise.In our childhoodthings were very much different.Buses were only the means and travel buses with loads of devotees.As they entered the town, the pilgrims would raise their voice in praising of Lord Rama.Now I hardly listen any of them.But ominous sounds caused by visitors and vehicles galore all over.

It was evening turning into twilight.Ever year, on the day of Sri Rama navami celebrations,soon after Kalyanam completed, it is common for me to have a stroll along the temple street to see the bustling rush of visitors and all other activities like exhibitions,cultural programs, etc.,Luckily sometimes meeting a known person on the way is exciting.Above all, cool breeze sweeping over Godavari river.And the sand dunes losing heat to facilitate the visitors to sit cozily.They both never cease to take me into their lap.As usual, river banks were filled with the visitors, some men and women were taking holy dips.They did not seem to have bothered about their transparent wet clothes by coming out of water to change their clothes.Makeshift outlets were there, but very few cared to use them.

took a rather long walk on the crunchy sand of the river bank.There, hardly any people were seen, a Sadhu like person was sitting about facing westward.The long white beard gives him a strange look.And there was a Trishul or trident beside him fixed in the sand.He was gazing something over the flow of Godavari river.I intrigued to have a talk with him to know what there is in store for me, like how they manage their travelsfood and any supernatural powers achieved so on.

just sat nearby silently. He was not moved an inchstaring straight the way in such a languid demeanor.kept waiting like a school kid if he would turn towards me.No, it seems not likely to happen.At last, I have decided to thaw the iceberg.What to start and how to call him.Much embarrassed at the moment. I have donned many hats, but it's entirely different.


"Hello sir...Namaste" I greeted him formally. He slowly turned his face towards me.His eyes were twinkling in the starry light.He smiled and inquired with a nod, still no talking.

"May I know where you are coming from? I mean you look like a Saintly person," I asked him.Felt like committed a faux pas..!

"I came here from Haridwar, before that many other places were also visited," he said stoically.

"Where do you belong Swamiji" I gathered strength.

"Sadhus do not have native places.Entire creation belonged to theirs," He answered.

"How did you come and where have you got needed money for your expenses?

"Usually ocher robed persons like me were not asked for tickets in trains.They knew that we're sanyasis or renounced ones"

"About your food,"

"Some kind people offered money or food. Of course, sometimes I remain empty bellied without any food"

"Are you not afraid of being alone? Travelling around places like this."

"What is there to afraid? Everywhere you find Panchabhutas or five elements and nothing else,mostly what happens is death which is certain to everybody."

"Is it not scaring you dying in this manner?At some unknown place like an orphan"

"It's most common phenomenon right from the ages in our country.A Sanyasi has to live a life like that."

"Out there, so many Sanyasis were leading most comfortable lives and some are ruling too"

"Politics need certain faces and maybe it could be one of them.But real spirituality starts when one renounces wholeheartedly.The world is a play.It should be played until one gets opened inside," He said.

I don't want to argue with him.In fact, my intention was to know about his way of life like how he got his expenses to cope up with journeys, food and so on.He had his own convictions to lead his life.smiled at him with reverence.

"Please, take it.You have given me your valuable time," I offered a ten-rupees note to him.He looked hesitantly and accepted it later with a smile.I got up and started to move from the banks of the river.Soon I reached by the side of enquiry counter at the temple,there was an announcement going on about the missing girl as she had been found out.I thought of that ocher robed person.The riverside man whom I met a few minutes back.In other sense, he was also missing one for his family, if there was anything like it. (the End) 


Saturday, April 27, 2019

This is also a love story, I think..!

Sometimes things taught you well before in advance.By seeing or hearing of others' lives intently, you would be vigilant about the same shouldn't creep in to your own life.As usual, the melancholic sight that pumps the real lethal blow to memorize the lesson.How should I tell you all as it does belong to a human being and of whom I got a little acquaintance, of course with a distance to maintain?I should better not be sophomoric or oral acrobatic.There are limits.And let me pass on with what I have in me.

That was about some two and half a decade's back, I was used to visit our local temple once or twice a week.Now stopped going to any temples, please don't ask me the reasons.It's rather a big story and it would encompasses all this piece of work.One of our college mates had also frequented the holy place.After having obeisances, we got into a chat, about various issues of what had taken place in our college.By the way, She was a well trained singer and had a good fandom.She told me once that which always got down her having the first prize whenever she participated.It made me chuckled since it's the dream of everybody.Lots of days, lots of talks.Days went by and suddenly her presence was not there.I couldn't figure out any reason, for our talks only based on time tested discreet and decency.

Quite unexpectedly, at a different town after so many years, we encountered in a meeting where she must have been called for her rendition.Our eyes met and I was expecting a surprise wish but to my astonishment, she had quit the dais and vanished as swift as she could.What made her to do so, I was sure of her awareness about my presence.And in no way, I harmed her.A lot of quizzical exercise in my brain.First time I approved the overheard saying that "oh...These women are not to be understood, their ways and means."And at the same time, my conscience kept warning me that there was something wrong with your intention.She had her own life to lead with her own problems.I postponed my judgement.Of all, who am I to do it?

However, I had observed some sadness or being dejected in her face.I trust my instincts over many important situations of life whether it's me or others.I could grasp the woes of an average woman of our society.What sort of tribulations and trauma she was to go through was beyond the imagination, sometimes.Being a child in those dark days of my life phase,I know how shattered relations in a family would pierce the spirit of hope and happiness.And it squeezes marrow of the life.After all these years, I understand that nothing is deserved cursing since every dark and light side has its own influence on the life.Sometimes the suffering brings the best out of our life.Here, I should thank my Grand father, for he had introduced me for a great place in my life.That's library.Life has a symbolic connection with every happening.Through that I plunged into the world of travelling and which never seized to leave me.

Well, anxious about the lady? Yes, all of a sudden another encounter happened in some program where we had a talk on presenting my book.She now seemed good and talked enthusiastically.Felt relieved.I never insisted the past to come up with.Onset of light makes everything bright.She phoned me one day and explained how her life had taken cruel twists with the first marriage.And the mental trauma she underwent thereof. I sighed at it as I already thought of something alarm she met with.Above all, she asked me to meet her present husband to feel how great he was in every aspect.Her account made me joyful.As she had got her highest position in education and employment, I Congratulated her.

Education and employment, they would play a crucial role in today's woman's life. That I understand through two lives I come across and when my friends or relatives poking the issue of my daughter's marriage,I always shot back with my stubborn reply as it should be first education and employment.You could ask me, don't they have problems? Yes, there will always be.But they are negotiable and prone to overcome.

* * * *
"It looks great.Why don't you improve it into a good story" One of my blogger friends asked me.In fact, the above write-up has been submitted by me as a piece of article in response of Indeblogger competition.I too have such feel inside me.In fact, I planned it to be precise in every aspect because I was thought of it for the particular format.What's up?

Yes, WhatsApp came to my rescue.I sent the article to her by WhatsApp to elicit her response.Be it positive or negative,come what may, no problem,because there was no name mentioned in it and at the same time one could feel the story.See how things take one into their grip to connive to achieve their ending. 

Surprised to have reply at once.Here are our WhatsApp messages.

"Oh.it's my story. Nice to here more of it."Her message.

" Well... thank you.And which applies to all universal success stories" My message.

"All those innocent days seemed to have come back through your words"

"True.In one sense you're correct " 

" I don't understand what you want to tell me,no offence please." 

"Frankly speaking, I have penned it for a competition" 

"Perfect.Reality always has its own charm.I understand it now." 

"Admitted. And do you know how did fascinating stories always come to surface to lilt the human's heart? " 

"Shed me some light" 

"It should always have come from their own experiences.Of what they see, feel and mix. " 

"A judicious mix of fiction is also necessary,hope you understand what I mean" 

"That's true. And a writer's responsibility too" 

That's how our messages concluded.I wish I was there in the temple at the moment, at our rendezvous.Hmm.it's not possible with me now.Because I stopped going there for many reasons.One of them is my conviction grew into non-Idol worship. (the End)

---Murthy Kvvs

  

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Gandhi Bhavan at Bangalore

Last year, I was in Bangalore for a day or two during my Sri Lanka journey.Before reaching out for my flight, happened to have a stay at the Gandhi bhavan nearby Saravana stores.The premises was very clean and calm with lush greenery.Not only that,interesting things like Naturopathy health outlet,Gandhi literature and other staying accommodation facilities were there.Khadi propagating center was also in the same premises. Statues of different postures of Gandhi ji  added much attraction to the ambiance.Sri Lankan blasts remind me all that old days.Our prayers with the Island country.Here are some pics I wish to share.
   (On a wall,Gandhi ji with other patriots)

(Gandhian and other literature counter)

(Gandhi bhavan)

(  Statues in the premises)


Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Clouds over the Green Pastures


Green pastures and the floating clouds,above all scattered houses here and there in the thickness of forest like ambiance.I was intrigued to capture the scene on the spot.It was around Nugarawaliya in Sri Lanka.In fact,not closer to it,You would meet it while journeying from Kandy to Nugarawaliya via some Tea production companies.There were a few good hotels from where you can see the landscapes and water falls vividly from the wall glasses.Always drizzling over the trip we had taken,November month to say.


The Island country offers a lot to the visitors,natural elegance apart from rolling back to cultural and historical glances in abundance.Diverse cuisine is available in many hotels.For Nature aficionados,a real visual feast where ever we go,that's what one could feel in brief.Serene waters in flowing,rushing in falls,how the form of waters appear in myriad ways are to be witnessed.Scaling heights of hills added extra beauty.   

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Polling Duty (story) --Murthy KVVS

Polling Duty (story) --Murthy KVVS

Notification of election schedule in today's paper brought the bygone days back for me.It is about almost a decade passed by.But those moments are fresh in my mind.EVM was something impossible to imagine in those days.I was drafted as a presiding officer to execute in a polling booth that situated in a remote village.There were four more employees in my team, and they were from different departments.

It was almost five in the evening as our vehicle reached the village.The vehicle provided by election commission has gone back with remaining staff to their respective places.Our team members comprised of different age groups.We five people boarded in the school along with the polling material.The very next day is polling day.We started pre arrangements soon after having a little rest.

We have surveyed the rooms and premises of the school to make a plan for various requirements like makeshift way for voters to come in and exit.And to prepare a corner to keep the ballot box on a table, with covering by a blanket for secrecy.Everything to be intact.Somehow, we have completed all the work including filling up required papers by seven O's clock in the night.Tomorrow is going to be the De day.By 7 a.m. sharp, the juggernaut of polling process will be commenced.Voters will be queuing up for exercising their franchise.

As having said, our team is of a high-octane five members including me.The duty like this can only be succeeded with team spirit and every one has to do their part to make it fruitful.The same thing has been uttered by me repeatedly.Fortunately, our team members were very cooperative.

It was almost eight O clock in the night as we have returned to our worldly business from our conversation of many other things.I went out to meet some villagers or find a small hotel to prepare meals for us.It was a moonlit night.Village looked so calm, no one was on the street.Dim lighting of bulbs kept pouring from the street electricity poles.Both sides, unruly bushes were growing.At last, I found a villager after walking a few yards to the corner.

"We are the polling staff deputed here in your village to accomplish the election process.It seems nobody is out there to ask something about."I introduced myself to the man.He was grim and thoughtful for a while.

"Here people used to go to bed by seven or seven thirty in the night.There was no hotel or any accommodation for the meals.You have to help yourself only," He answered in a businesslike tone.

"My God...What to do, is there any hotel nearby the village?"

"Yes...But it is about 20 k.m.s.' away.All the way is filled with wild animals apart from being stark dark."He informed me and rushed himself without heeding my further talk.sighed for our fate.Came back to the school-cum-polling booth.On disclosing the fact,our second team member came up with a sweet news.


"Sir...don't worry.I have brought some fruits and biscuits with me.Let's have it.Of course,it can't be like a meal in any sense.."He appeared like a messiah. All our members were happier to have something instead of going hungry all the night.Each member got two bananas and two biscuits.Wow.What a great treat for our tummies.There was a tube well in the school premises to provide gallons of water.No problem, we can endure the starvation of some more days.We became more confident after having the water up to our throats.

We spread our blankets on the floor and rested our bodies cozily.Through the doors wide opened, Sky was looking like the old friend with starry lighting.Eerie silence everywhere.All of a sudden, somewhere a feeble howling like sound came from a distant place.That should be a fox for sure, howling from an half emptied belly like us? Or from an orgasm of night cap? Our pals were sleeping fast.Good God...You made me capture nature's pulchritude.

In the early morning, all of us completed face washing and bathing, etc., polling agents keep coming one by one.As a presiding officer,I have to provide them I.D.cards and at the same time have to check their credentials.Mock polling, paper sealing and other formalities have been done in their presence.All those were performed in time.We made them sit down on the benches allotted for them.

Voters were waiting in queues, and I nodded to the security person to send them in.Security personnel has joined us this morning though they have had to report the previous day.However,this is not the time for indulging in arguments.It would hamper all the polling process.One by one,voters got rolling in.Our team members sat in a row with eager to do their respective jobs such as verifying electors, putting tick mark in the electoral roll and indelible ink mark on fingers so on.


Work was going on smoothly.And our staff also immersed in the process.By the ten in the morning, almost 50 voters came and exercised their right.Now flow is slow.Meanwhile, a polling agent asked me about the details of breakfast whether we have had.I told him that the entire story of the last night and asked him to send any person to get it on payment.Our staff were having water for every now and then to keep them energetic.But their faces showing their real plight.

The polling agent nodded for my request but no firm answer came from him.determined not to tell him again.Come whatever.We were ready to face it.I too gulped some water again.There was no dearth of water as we have a tube well in the polling booth.Certainly we will never die.But a huge wave of weakness was trying to defeat our spirit.We were determined to face it whatsoever.

And another spell of voters came into the booth.It was a heavy rush.in other words.We became busy and no time to think about our hunger now.Water bottles were aplenty at our side and consuming water like frogs.Almost four villages around this one fall into our list.So the voters turnout seemed big.It was around 2 o'clock and the agents were ready to go out.Their substitutes would come later.They promised us to send tiffin or meals from the nearby village.They left.And their substitutes attended with empty hands.No tiffin or meals were being sent by these new agents.

Everyone of us became mute and understood the situation.We consumed water abundantly.No expectations from anybody else.This day is the real eye opener.We have paid for what we have done.We should have brought some more food like breads, chapatis and fruits.Every village is unique in our country.Some could cooperate with us, but some couldn't.No right to blame anyone.That's how people behave, no humanity no bull shit.

At last we have completed our poll work.It was 5 O'clock in the evening.All our team members and I sighed with a note of satisfaction.All post poll work furnished and agents have also left.Everyone of us felt like a soldier, won a hard battle.We were talking less due to weakness but were raising in our spirits.After two hours spent in leisure, our bus came to the polling station.

requested the driver to stop at the nearest hotel or at least at the small grocery outlet to eat something available there.The bus was heading through the wild forest, and we all closed our eyes as the cool breeze moving over our faces.--Murthy K.V.V.S.