Author Archives: Manu

Histories: The Poet Hearkens Back

ONV Kurup, the legendary Malayalam poet, flags off Manu Remakant’s journey through time to piece together the broken narratives about Trivandrum The guest concludes his speech sprinkled with honeyed words about CP’s American model vision about the future of Travancore. He gets back to his seat. An uncomfortable silence descends on the hall for a few minutes. Have the people of the town given a blank cheque to the Dewan to decide on their future? Uncertainty doesn’t last much long. … Continue reading

HISTORIES: The Axe Or The Accent?

On the 54th birthday of Kerala, Manu Remakant takes us back to the many permutations behind forming the state of Kerala   This is the Orient Illustrated Weekly, July 20, 1947. The article written by P. B. K. Menon gives us the heat of the times, when discussions were on to carve a state out of the chaos called malayala kara. Map of Kerala; Image Courtesy: commons.wikimedia.org They had many options. There was a Cape Comerin which had a culture … Continue reading

HISTORIES: Tales Of A Weird And Wonderful Age

An 80-year old college magazine takes Manu Remakant to a dark cranny in the life and history of Travancore.   1st of July. The assembly begins after the prayer in Women’s College, Travancore. Miss. Carrapiett, the former Principal welcomes the new students. Hundreds of girls stand in line in rapt attention as she introduces the incumbent Principal, Miss. FE Grose. This is 1st of July, 1929. The college has reopened today after the summer vacation. Libraries sometimes soar like flights. … Continue reading

Run Away To Ponnumthuruthu

The rain clouds continue to play hide and seek over the city. They refuse to deliver. Trivandrumites are seeking refuge in AC cars, low-floor buses, water melons, buttermilk and lots of water. Some douse the fire with beer. Many seek refuge in getaways around the city. Shankumugham beach in the evening is bursting at its seams filled to its brim with people.   Quo Vadis? Whither goes thou? Ask the people.     Come to Ponnumthuruthu, an uninhabited island in … Continue reading