Kaadu

Kaadu Book Review

Jeyamohan has dedicated this book to Mr.Theodore Baskaran, a naturalist and ecologist in true sense. His books have, extensively documented the flora and fauna species in forests of Tamil Nadu. He is one of the trustees of WWF-India and a senior associate in National Institute of advanced studies, Bangalore. According to the author, Jeyamohan, Theodore Baskaran’s major contribution to towards ecological conservation are the efforts he took in documenting and naming the various rare bird species, animal species present in Tamil Nadu range forests in the regional native language, Tamil. Nomenclature in native language brings in a sense of regional identity and relatability to everyone in the regional ecosystem and not just the environmentally conscious people which greatly enhances the awareness of ecological importance of the presence of all these species. Some of the great books written by Mr. Theodore Baskaran are

English: The Book of Indian Dogs, The Dance of the Sarus: Essays of a Wandering Naturalist

Tamil: Mazhaikalamum Kuyilosaiyum, Innum Pirakkadha Thalaimuraikkaga

Novel’s core

“KAADU” is all about “KAMA” (காமம்). Let us get the perspective right here about the word “KAMA”, it is very humane to limit the veracity of the word to the pleasure of the 10-minute intercourse between species. But this book expands the horizon of this word “KAMA” by attributing to an encompassing state of mind in us. A state of mind – where all your nerves and cells are tuned and aching for something that can fulfil your inner self. Almost all the characters in this book are designed to be in this ever-seeking state of mind. Every character encounters and handles this state of mind in quite different ways. Some are in constant search all through their life, some handle it to their advantage, some people reduce it to just a phase and patiently wait to get over, some people remain confused about what they want to fulfil themselves, some people are ashamed and feel at a loss to seek what they want, some greatly fear this state of mind, some succumb to it as their guiding light. When other character’s portrayal in this novel are compartmentalised to each one of these treatments, the novel’s central character “GIRIDHARAN” is observed as struggling through all these phases throughout his journey in the novel. In all we end up learning more about ourselves and people around us in this exciting journey.

Structure of the novel:

Author has chosen two different landscapes one a MAGNIFICIENT FOREST and another an UNASSUMING TOWN as platforms to play out the characters in this novel. Every character’s sketch is confined to be in either of the two landscapes and are described that they acquire their characteristics majorly by being part of that landscape. The environment they are in, becomes as much a part in them and influence their motives, behaviours, and actions. The beauty of the novel is, it is structured in a way to transport us back and forth between these landscapes in the moments where the differences become very tell-tale and strikingly contrast.

Reading experience:

A reader gets an amazing reading experience as the characters from each of the landscape are played out in juxtaposition and shows how the same state of mind unveils in complete contrast in each landscape. In the end a clear striking picture emerges as in, the possibilities and sensibilities of being in the state of “KAMA” are so much enhanced and elevated to the level of experiencing timelessness and “pure joy” when characters are being close to mother nature whereas people in the town go through a struggle to come to terms with “KAMA” and some even become helpless and, crawl & cry with agony for liberation from this state. Similarly, a reader will get two different reading experiences for each landscape part. But as I mentioned earlier the exciting thing is these two different reading experiences occur in tandem as the novel traverses each of these. I will share my reading experience for both landscapes.

Kaadu Book Review

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