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Where the Rain is Born: Writings About Kerala
A combination of essays, short stories, poems and extracts from published works in both English and Malayalam, this anthology affords a tantalizing glimpse into the rich and varied layers of experience that Kerala has to offer.
316 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
48 people are currently reading
836 people want to read
About the author
Anita Nair
97 books473 followersAnita Nair is the bestselling and critically acclaimed author of the novels The Better Man, Ladies Coupé, Mistress, Lessons in Forgetting, Idris: Keeper of the Light and Alphabet Soup for Lovers. She has also authored a crime series featuring Inspector Gowda.
Anita Nair’s other books include a collection of poems titled Malabar Mind, a collection of essays titled Goodnight & God Bless and six books for children. Anita Nair has also written two plays and the screenplay for the movie adaptation of her novel Lessons in Forgetting which was part of the Indian Panorama at IFFI 2012 and won the National Film Award in 2013. Among other awards, she was also given the Central Sahitya Akademi award and the Crossword Prize. Her books have been translated into over thirty one languages around the world. She is also the founder of the creative writing and mentorship program Anita’s Attic.
Anita Nair’s other books include a collection of poems titled Malabar Mind, a collection of essays titled Goodnight & God Bless and six books for children. Anita Nair has also written two plays and the screenplay for the movie adaptation of her novel Lessons in Forgetting which was part of the Indian Panorama at IFFI 2012 and won the National Film Award in 2013. Among other awards, she was also given the Central Sahitya Akademi award and the Crossword Prize. Her books have been translated into over thirty one languages around the world. She is also the founder of the creative writing and mentorship program Anita’s Attic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 22, 2014
A collection of fine excerpts, each good in themselves and taken from some excellent sources. Anita Nair has to be commended for putting together this collection. But once put together, there is not much to recommend this book in itself, either in terms of unity of arrangement or thematic presentation.
A homesick Keralite would love the roam-through but an outsider reading it to get any insights into Kerala would be disappointed. Either would find it hard to resist the beautiful cover, the poetic title and the quaint opening piece on "Chasing the Monsoon".
To me, the reading was fun and I even ended up buying one of the source works which I accidentally stumbled upon during a book-store jaunt. It also reminded me about the vast literary universe that I am blind to in my reading orbit. I really wish the editor had included more poetry. Surely there is no dearth of rich poetry about Kerala. Less novelistic excerpts and more short stories and poetry would have been my recipe.
In sum, it is a decent anthology and should serve best as an introduction to the rich literature from and about Kerala. Only the dewdrops though, not the full thundering rain.
October 10, 2018
I loved this collection set around Kerala and people who have lived in/experienced Kerala.
- short stories set in different time periods. Some of them are reminiscent of the place and era and some address deeper topics such as casteism.
- travelogues
- biographies of some of Kerala’s famous men; Yesudas (singer) and I.M Vijayan (footballer)
-poetry
- book extracts. for eg : The Moor’s Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie), The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), Marthandavarma (C.V. Raman Pillai).
-It has both writings in English about Kerala and those that are translated from Malayalam to English. It also features a good selection of authors, both male and female.
Every piece was not as spectacular. But still a great read.
- short stories set in different time periods. Some of them are reminiscent of the place and era and some address deeper topics such as casteism.
- travelogues
- biographies of some of Kerala’s famous men; Yesudas (singer) and I.M Vijayan (footballer)
-poetry
- book extracts. for eg : The Moor’s Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie), The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), Marthandavarma (C.V. Raman Pillai).
-It has both writings in English about Kerala and those that are translated from Malayalam to English. It also features a good selection of authors, both male and female.
Every piece was not as spectacular. But still a great read.
February 17, 2016
Started this on a trip to Kerala, finished it a couple of days after returning, and enjoyed it thoroughly.
This is probably the best edited anthology I've read until now. Only someone who understands the place, its literature and is familiar with all the writers it has inspired could have done this. And it's not just about who to choose, it's also about exactly which passages to choose as well, so justice is done both to the writer and the theme. In Ramachandra Guha's essay about EMS Namboodiripad, he points out an error in Arundhati Roy's celebrated masterpiece The God of Small Things. So thorough is the editing and the selection that the passage in question, in which Roy makes the error, is also here, so we know why this is important. I've never seen such attention to detail in a book of this sort.
The lineup is stellar, it just never ends. Salman Rushdie, MT Vasudevan Nair, Basheer, Anita Nair herself, David Davidar, Dalrymple, Pankaj Mishra, Shashi Tharoor, OV Vijayan, M Mukundan, all of them are there. Which means that when you finish a story and want to pause for a while, you see another literary great's name on the next. You have to read him/her, so you read some more, and then some more. You literally don't want this book to end.
The best pieces were, in my opinion, Shashi Tharoor's little memoir, the extract from Salman Rushdie's The Moor's Last Sigh, and the extract from Jaishree Mishra's Ancient Promises, which made me want buy the book immediately to see what happens next. But the star was for me, of course, Basheer's Neelavelicham, translated as The Blue Light, which I first read as a Katha translation, and have been looking for ever since. I'm glad I have it in print now. Though the anthology has much less poetry than I thought it would, the Jeet Thayil poem is a masterwork, demanding to be read over and over again so you understand all its secrets and sidesteps. This whole book is worth buying just for that one page poem.
It's only about 300 or so pages, this anthology, but it feels like a lot more, and by the time you're done, you've been to a world and back. That's what any literature of place aims to do, and that's what this book achieves gloriously. Next time you are going to Kerala, take this book with you.
This is probably the best edited anthology I've read until now. Only someone who understands the place, its literature and is familiar with all the writers it has inspired could have done this. And it's not just about who to choose, it's also about exactly which passages to choose as well, so justice is done both to the writer and the theme. In Ramachandra Guha's essay about EMS Namboodiripad, he points out an error in Arundhati Roy's celebrated masterpiece The God of Small Things. So thorough is the editing and the selection that the passage in question, in which Roy makes the error, is also here, so we know why this is important. I've never seen such attention to detail in a book of this sort.
The lineup is stellar, it just never ends. Salman Rushdie, MT Vasudevan Nair, Basheer, Anita Nair herself, David Davidar, Dalrymple, Pankaj Mishra, Shashi Tharoor, OV Vijayan, M Mukundan, all of them are there. Which means that when you finish a story and want to pause for a while, you see another literary great's name on the next. You have to read him/her, so you read some more, and then some more. You literally don't want this book to end.
The best pieces were, in my opinion, Shashi Tharoor's little memoir, the extract from Salman Rushdie's The Moor's Last Sigh, and the extract from Jaishree Mishra's Ancient Promises, which made me want buy the book immediately to see what happens next. But the star was for me, of course, Basheer's Neelavelicham, translated as The Blue Light, which I first read as a Katha translation, and have been looking for ever since. I'm glad I have it in print now. Though the anthology has much less poetry than I thought it would, the Jeet Thayil poem is a masterwork, demanding to be read over and over again so you understand all its secrets and sidesteps. This whole book is worth buying just for that one page poem.
It's only about 300 or so pages, this anthology, but it feels like a lot more, and by the time you're done, you've been to a world and back. That's what any literature of place aims to do, and that's what this book achieves gloriously. Next time you are going to Kerala, take this book with you.
September 24, 2012
Side seat of KSRTC Bus(Public Transport-Kerala), with intermittent drizzling , cold misty wind caressing your face, scenic beauty of the mountain pass to wayanad and a book on Kerala - one of the best combinations a reader can ask for... its actually a compilation of writings on monsoon by some of the eminent writers/personalities...enjoyed every page of the book...
March 10, 2019
Like many others from Kerala I had my upbringing elsewhere. While fluent in the language, in speaking, in reading and to some extent in writing, it’s the more nuanced aspects of Malayali culture that’s eluded me.
A highly literate society, yet which holds on its superstitions. Where the numbers would have you believe that women have equal rights, yet a society that feels threatened by outspoken women. A tendency to spend huge sums of money on objects than on experiences - marriages being the sole exception.
This book provides a window into how these views were shaped. It does so via a compilation of chapters and excerpts from Malayalam literature. Perhaps unintended, the author also manages to convey the rich history and vastness of Malayalam literature.
Which brings me to what’s most distinctive about the state. Despite other shortcomings, Kerala is a well read society. A society where even the most powerful aren’t spared of jest, where no idea remains free of scrutiny. One would hope that for as long as these qualities remain, other vices would eventually be annulled.
This one is a relishing read for anyone who's ever been intrigued by Kerala.
A highly literate society, yet which holds on its superstitions. Where the numbers would have you believe that women have equal rights, yet a society that feels threatened by outspoken women. A tendency to spend huge sums of money on objects than on experiences - marriages being the sole exception.
This book provides a window into how these views were shaped. It does so via a compilation of chapters and excerpts from Malayalam literature. Perhaps unintended, the author also manages to convey the rich history and vastness of Malayalam literature.
Which brings me to what’s most distinctive about the state. Despite other shortcomings, Kerala is a well read society. A society where even the most powerful aren’t spared of jest, where no idea remains free of scrutiny. One would hope that for as long as these qualities remain, other vices would eventually be annulled.
This one is a relishing read for anyone who's ever been intrigued by Kerala.
December 31, 2016
As a Bombay Malayali, I picked this book expecting this to be chiefly, a collection of translated works. I was a bit disappointed to see pieces by non-Malayali writers. \
I found a lot of them dry. Vaikom Basheer's 'the blue light' stood out easily; mind you, he had eminent authors such as Salman Rushdie, Arundhati Roy for company. The style of writing impressed upon me and it is easy to see why is he considered among the finest authors Kerala has produced. MT.Vasudevan' s story was starkly moving. I have not read a better rendition of poverty. This shall remain close to me as a reminder of the days gone by; prior to the opulence which adorns many a Malayali home. Anita Nair's short story was simple yet sweet. The ability to convey emotions without being verbose is something I consider the hallmark of a great writer. I shall be reading more of her work. Overall, a good collection.
I found a lot of them dry. Vaikom Basheer's 'the blue light' stood out easily; mind you, he had eminent authors such as Salman Rushdie, Arundhati Roy for company. The style of writing impressed upon me and it is easy to see why is he considered among the finest authors Kerala has produced. MT.Vasudevan' s story was starkly moving. I have not read a better rendition of poverty. This shall remain close to me as a reminder of the days gone by; prior to the opulence which adorns many a Malayali home. Anita Nair's short story was simple yet sweet. The ability to convey emotions without being verbose is something I consider the hallmark of a great writer. I shall be reading more of her work. Overall, a good collection.
May 13, 2017
A delectable Kerala meal- Onam Sadyam if you will. This collection of essays, short stories, poems some translated works of eminent Malayali authors serves a small helping of the most delicious stories Kerala has to say. Apart from the usual suspects, 'Expanse of imagination' by Jayanth Kodkani and ' Ancient promises' by Jaishree Mishra were particularly engaging. While I had already read some bits in the original form; Alexander Frater's 'Chasing the Monsson', 'Charlis and I' by Tharoor and an excerpt from 'God of small things', re-reading them in the context of this book was still pleasurable. To a non Malayali, this is a good introduction to Kerala beyond the stereotypes of its lush landscape, communism, literacy rate and matriarchy. You could use this as a tasting session to choose a full meal at a later time.
June 21, 2017
An interesting and alluring anthology, smartly edited by Anita Nair – this collection of stories/essays/poems is an ideal foil for the Malayalee yearning for a nostalgia fueled return to the green shores of their childhood, as well as a handy companion for non-resident ‘mallus’ to reconnect with their homeland. Whether it is as good as a primer on Kerala for the uninitiated reader, though, is up for debate.
The opening snippet from Alexander Frater’s ‘Chasing the Monsoon’ which talks of his sojourn in Kochi while trying to trace the path the monsoons take in the country is a pretty good way to start the book. True to the title, Rain does play a prominent part in a lot of the stories, and some of them are vivid enough to conjure the images and smell of the damp red earth and greenery fueled lush villages of one’s childhood. Tinged with the biased spectacles of nostalgic longing for a simpler and more innocent time perhaps, but the typical Kerala village is a mystically beautiful and lovingly laid back place for those who spent even a while there as part of their childhood.
The rest of the book is an eclectic mix – there are some well written biographies of some of Kerala’s most famous faces, like the singer Yesudas and the footballer I.M Vijayan. There are some interesting short stories from the likes of Shashi Tharoor and Basheer, while a heartfelt ode to her mother who she so loves but is so different from is provided by Lalithambika Antharjanam. Bill Aitken provides a look into another aspect of Kerala tourism, away from the ‘God’s Own Country’ catchphrases, with a look at an all pervasive character who seems to have influenced almost every aspect of modern tourism in the state. There are also snippets from books by famous authors, set in Kerala – including The Moor’s Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie), The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), Marthandavarma (C.V. Raman Pillai), Ancient Promises (Jaisree Misra)among others. Some of these are easy on the senses, while others did not seem to add much of value being in the collection.
There is no doubt that Anita Nair has done a great job in assembling this collection together. And there is also no doubt that the discerning Malayali reader, or even those just wanting to get their dose of nostalgic throwback, should check this one out. The Non Malayalis can also give this a try, but it may not necessarily prove to be a definitive guidebook to the state. However, irrespective of that, there is plenty still to recommend in this unique collection.
The opening snippet from Alexander Frater’s ‘Chasing the Monsoon’ which talks of his sojourn in Kochi while trying to trace the path the monsoons take in the country is a pretty good way to start the book. True to the title, Rain does play a prominent part in a lot of the stories, and some of them are vivid enough to conjure the images and smell of the damp red earth and greenery fueled lush villages of one’s childhood. Tinged with the biased spectacles of nostalgic longing for a simpler and more innocent time perhaps, but the typical Kerala village is a mystically beautiful and lovingly laid back place for those who spent even a while there as part of their childhood.
The rest of the book is an eclectic mix – there are some well written biographies of some of Kerala’s most famous faces, like the singer Yesudas and the footballer I.M Vijayan. There are some interesting short stories from the likes of Shashi Tharoor and Basheer, while a heartfelt ode to her mother who she so loves but is so different from is provided by Lalithambika Antharjanam. Bill Aitken provides a look into another aspect of Kerala tourism, away from the ‘God’s Own Country’ catchphrases, with a look at an all pervasive character who seems to have influenced almost every aspect of modern tourism in the state. There are also snippets from books by famous authors, set in Kerala – including The Moor’s Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie), The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy), Marthandavarma (C.V. Raman Pillai), Ancient Promises (Jaisree Misra)among others. Some of these are easy on the senses, while others did not seem to add much of value being in the collection.
There is no doubt that Anita Nair has done a great job in assembling this collection together. And there is also no doubt that the discerning Malayali reader, or even those just wanting to get their dose of nostalgic throwback, should check this one out. The Non Malayalis can also give this a try, but it may not necessarily prove to be a definitive guidebook to the state. However, irrespective of that, there is plenty still to recommend in this unique collection.
November 26, 2013
34 stories compiled together all having being connected to Kerala in some way. A melange of authors (mostly written in English & some translation from original-Malayalam)
The best in this lot are by Shashi Tharoor (Charlis & I : on caste system in Kerala), Mohd Basheer (Blue Light), Suresh Menon (on Yesudas), Salman Rushdie (Moor Last Sigh), Lalithambika Antherjanam (on her dead Amma), Bill Aitken (Kerala as a tourist destination), Jaishree Mishra (Ancient Promises - on a newly wed Mallu bride's predicament), Ramchandra Guha (on EMS Namoodiripad)
The piece by Jaishree Mishra was the most identifiable & her language the most precise.
Bill Aitken was a discovery so was Mr.Rushdie's work on the Jews of Cochin who interbred with the Moslems of Spain. Moors would be my next read for sure.
The essence of Kerala as a magical place with amazing weather with rains, greenery, sea, sun & mountains - has been best threaded into these stories.
Wish these could have been made into a graphical novel - like what Shankar Nag did to the Kannada culture of R.K.Narayan's Malgudi!
The best in this lot are by Shashi Tharoor (Charlis & I : on caste system in Kerala), Mohd Basheer (Blue Light), Suresh Menon (on Yesudas), Salman Rushdie (Moor Last Sigh), Lalithambika Antherjanam (on her dead Amma), Bill Aitken (Kerala as a tourist destination), Jaishree Mishra (Ancient Promises - on a newly wed Mallu bride's predicament), Ramchandra Guha (on EMS Namoodiripad)
The piece by Jaishree Mishra was the most identifiable & her language the most precise.
Bill Aitken was a discovery so was Mr.Rushdie's work on the Jews of Cochin who interbred with the Moslems of Spain. Moors would be my next read for sure.
The essence of Kerala as a magical place with amazing weather with rains, greenery, sea, sun & mountains - has been best threaded into these stories.
Wish these could have been made into a graphical novel - like what Shankar Nag did to the Kannada culture of R.K.Narayan's Malgudi!
March 15, 2007
A collection of short stories edited by Anita Nair.
Now if you are a Malayali...this book should be in your 'must-read' list.It brings out the true essence of Kerala-its heritage, culture and people.
Quite a lot was a revelation to me as i fall into the category of 'fraud-mallus'.
The notable stories would be...those wriiten by Vaikom Mohammed Basheer, Geeta Doctor, Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, Lalithambika Antherjanam...etc.
Now if you are a Malayali...this book should be in your 'must-read' list.It brings out the true essence of Kerala-its heritage, culture and people.
Quite a lot was a revelation to me as i fall into the category of 'fraud-mallus'.
The notable stories would be...those wriiten by Vaikom Mohammed Basheer, Geeta Doctor, Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, Lalithambika Antherjanam...etc.
August 2, 2017
Just like life, this book is an anthology of some amazing stories, some average ones and some ridiculous pieces that don't make sense to an outsider reading it because of a lack of introduction to characters. A good way to get a peek of a land and learn about a new culture.
February 4, 2018
excellent anthology covering all genres.
May 3, 2022
"virtue is the richest jewel said my great grandmother she wore invisible
jewels that respected one while the family sold every bit of gold to retrieve
lost land"
BOOK: Where the Rain is born: Writings about Kerala
EDITED BY: @anitanairauthor
GENRE: #Writings #essays #extracts
RATING: 3.3🌟
Anthologies are a little easy to loose interest, because it's a collection of different Writings from different writers. So there is a randomness to it, but what I love about them is the lines, some lines have a depth in which we can remember the scenes taking place in our lives. And being a Keralite, there are lots of stories which I could relate to. Kerala is a state of many stories, of many people, of many beauty, rules and culture.
"In his heart, the Malayali Male is a warrior, a homegrown Samurai. When
he steps out into the world, freshly oiled and bathed, encased in a starched white mundu, holding aloft his shield and sword, for one bright instant he becomes that Samurai, and the past becomes the present. He is a wonder to behold!"
#wheretherainisborn
#Writings
#essays
#poems
#extracts
#kerala
#peopleofkerala
#anitanair
#bookstagram
#bookstagrammar
#booksbooksbooks
#booklover
#readlist
#maytbr
#may
#read
#reads
#reading
#reader
#readerssnapshot
#indianauthor
#kerala
#keralite
#godsowncountry
jewels that respected one while the family sold every bit of gold to retrieve
lost land"
BOOK: Where the Rain is born: Writings about Kerala
EDITED BY: @anitanairauthor
GENRE: #Writings #essays #extracts
RATING: 3.3🌟
Anthologies are a little easy to loose interest, because it's a collection of different Writings from different writers. So there is a randomness to it, but what I love about them is the lines, some lines have a depth in which we can remember the scenes taking place in our lives. And being a Keralite, there are lots of stories which I could relate to. Kerala is a state of many stories, of many people, of many beauty, rules and culture.
"In his heart, the Malayali Male is a warrior, a homegrown Samurai. When
he steps out into the world, freshly oiled and bathed, encased in a starched white mundu, holding aloft his shield and sword, for one bright instant he becomes that Samurai, and the past becomes the present. He is a wonder to behold!"
#wheretherainisborn
#Writings
#essays
#poems
#extracts
#kerala
#peopleofkerala
#anitanair
#bookstagram
#bookstagrammar
#booksbooksbooks
#booklover
#readlist
#maytbr
#may
#read
#reads
#reading
#reader
#readerssnapshot
#indianauthor
#kerala
#keralite
#godsowncountry
October 29, 2019
#2019 #YearInBooks Book 88
I found this book long back in a discussion on one of my book groups on Fb and was instantly drawn to it because of the title and the setting.
I quite loved the collection which has both fiction and nonfiction about a land I'm quite fond of. I still remember the description of shades of green at the start of the book, which was so vivid and beautiful.
I'm happy I had the opportunity to meet the author and get it signed too, because it's a book that'll stay in my shelf and be reread often.
I found this book long back in a discussion on one of my book groups on Fb and was instantly drawn to it because of the title and the setting.
I quite loved the collection which has both fiction and nonfiction about a land I'm quite fond of. I still remember the description of shades of green at the start of the book, which was so vivid and beautiful.
I'm happy I had the opportunity to meet the author and get it signed too, because it's a book that'll stay in my shelf and be reread often.
December 29, 2023
There were a few gems in this anthology but i really wish it tackled the issue of caste, especially in modern Kerala, better
September 9, 2012
If you are a Malayali especially lived outside the state should and must read this book. A wonderful collection of essays, stories, criticism, and extracts, make up for a journey across history, landscape, length and breath of the state, abject poverty to the royals, Marxism, communism, the Gelf malayali, nostalgia, love, and of course the rains the predominant fixture in most tales.
The book is a big revelation to the vibrant literary heritage of the state. Living outside the state more than 3/4ths of my life and now living in the state, I could appreciate, reminiscence, and enjoy the tales to its fullest.
It is a greatly recommended read for all Malayalis to understand greatness of this tiny land mass and others who would like to travel to the 'God's Own Country.'
The book is a big revelation to the vibrant literary heritage of the state. Living outside the state more than 3/4ths of my life and now living in the state, I could appreciate, reminiscence, and enjoy the tales to its fullest.
It is a greatly recommended read for all Malayalis to understand greatness of this tiny land mass and others who would like to travel to the 'God's Own Country.'
May 17, 2014
This is a compilation of writings (short stories and few poems) of eminent writers like M.T. Vasudevan Nair, Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, Vaikom Muhammed Basheer, Lalithambika Antherjanam, Kamala Das et al, and edited by Anita Nair. Some of them are translated from Malayalam. If reading of these writings brings the nostalgic experience to the Keralites living outside, it gives a glimpse to the culture and traditions of Kerala to others who want to know more about this beautiful land.
January 15, 2016
A beautiful collection of stories about Kerala, the land, the people, fantasies and legends. Being from Kerala myself it was a revival of my childhood memories of the place. Makes you want to go back and makes you remember the place where you grew up. The book includes translations of some of the greatest Malayali writers and also perspectives from outsiders point of view.
January 24, 2010
Various authors bring together their thoughts, personal stories and views on the history, politics and culture of this South Indian state. The diversity of their anecdotes and views make it an entertaining and insightful read.
December 4, 2014
Excellent collection of writings - from Thakazhi's Chemmeen to Kerala history to Monsoon air over the green land. Felt quite nostalgic after reading it, and also an almost immediate urge to return and explore. Thanks Ms. Nair!
May 23, 2009
A must read for all keralites !
February 25, 2012
Just started reading this amazing book on Kerala.All short stories.Will add more
November 5, 2012
An interesting collection of short stories with a Kerala connection. I really enjoyed the book.
December 30, 2012
Amazing and diverse collection of stories, poems, and essays about life - both modern and historical - in Kerala. Strongly recommended for anyone planning on spending time in the region.
May 28, 2013
loved it
November 18, 2013
great anthology
February 5, 2015
An excellent anthology of stories and writings from and on Kerala.
April 4, 2014
Love this book a lot. Collections that brings a lot of nostalgia.
May 2, 2014
A bunch of malayali and non- malayali writers sharing their experience of Rain's own country. experienced the magic of Jaishree Mishra, C P Surendran and Anita Nair...
September 29, 2014
Splendid book... loved every word of it...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews