Author: Jayant Kaikini
Vishvanath Hulikal/
Editor(s): Vishvanath Hulikal
Publisher: Indialog Publications
Year: 2004
Language: English
Pages: 242
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8187981709
Description
What these beautiful stories communicate is that life is absurd and that it is impossible either to understand it or to shape it to suit our purpose. As long as human beings are victims of elemental urges like hunger, power and sex, life is bound to be full of trivialities, selfishness and deceit.
Destined to live in such a confusing world, all that one can aspire for is to go out of one's shell, understand others, and extend love and affection to those in need. Solitary dots can be brought together to form a straight line; pieces of one's soul-moon can touch other pieces and establish meaningful relationships.
REVIEWS
Jayant's best stories are about little riddles and mysteries of life, which do not remain abstractions but translate into palpable experiences. Jayant's vision is that of a compassionate liberal humanist. He is, in fact, the master of a rare brand of lyricism which does not underplay or soften urban angst, but accentuates it.
-S Bageshree, The Hindu
A work in the depth of Jayant's stories is a consciousness full of love-one that is aware of al the trivialities of life, but is constantly and quietly trying to make life at least a wee bit livable.
-C N Ramachandran
Jayant Kaikini is a skilled observer and etches characters and situations with a sure touch. His stories bring out the loneliness and suffocation of a big city and celebrate the silent heroism which survives in simple folk.
-H Y Sharadaprasad
Contents
EDITOR'S NOTE
INTRODUCTION BY C N RAMACHANDRAN
SECTION I
A Delivery At Diamond Circus
Translated by N S Kiran
Mithun Number two
Translated by Vishvanath Hulikal
A Message for Sumitra
Translated by Pavan N Rao
Milk Moustache
Translated by Ramachandra Sharma
SECTION 2
Melodies of the Fair
Translated by Padma Ramachandra Sharma
Knot Translated by N S Kiran
Tanmayi's Vacation
Translated by Ramachandra Sharma
Dots and Lines
Translated by Padma Ramachandra Sharma
SECTION 3
Light of Asia
Translated by Vishvanath Hulikal
The Bedroom
Translated by Jayanth Kodkani
why Does the Moon Run?
Translated by Pavan N Rao
The Unclaimed Portrait
Translated by K R S Murthy
Notes on Contributors