Author: Chandrasekhar Kambar
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 1999
Language: English
Pages: 218
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0140285113
Description
A fascinatingly told modern morality tale about man's timeless search for divine perfection, written by one of the masters of Kannada literature.
Chakori is the story of young Chandamutta, a handsome cowherd who has the extraordinary gift of music which can charm people, animals, plants, books and even stones and transport them on an ecstatic world that is oblivious to the harsh realities of life. But his innocent, carefree life takes a turn for the unexpected when he chances upon the stone idol of a Yakshi in the woods and marries her.
His music breathes life into the statue and world around them celebrates their celestial union. However, Chandamutta soon realizes that the Yakshi whom he loves with all his heart can be truly liberated only if plays the raga of moonlight on his flute to perfection. As he fulfills his quest, divinity is bestowed on the Yakshi who is transformed into the mythical bird Chakori. She unites with the moon on the head of Shiva in the ultimate fulfillment of her being, but not before Chandamutta himself undergoes a tragic transformation.
A poetic tale about love, loss and the magical powers of music.
TRANSLATORS:
O L Nagabhushana Swamy is an eminent Kannada prose author and translator, and also a leading critic of Kannada literature. Credited with several publications and award, he now teaches at Maharani's Arts College, Bangalore.
Pranava Manjari is a Kannada critic and translator. She has taught English for five years in Jyoti Nivas College, Bangalore. Now based in Delhi, she writes book reviews for Indian Literature.
H S Shiva Parakeet is a reputed modern Kannada poet, playwright and translator. He has won several awards, and is not the editor of Indian Literature, the Sahitya Akademi's bi-monthly journal.