A Tribute to “MEMORIES OF A FATHER”

While searching for an Indo Anglian Literature book in my hostel library, my eyes stuck into a book all on a sudden. The name of the writer seemed very familiar and without any hesitation, I captured that book named “Orachante Ormakal (Memories of a Father) comprising 128 pages by Prof. Eachara Warrier.I have hearsay about this book since time immemorial. When I started flipping into the very first page, I saw the description about Eachara Warrier and his son P.Rajan.I was deeply moved by the sorrows that reverberated in the lines of a father’s description about his innocent son Rajan, a student of the prestigious Regional Engineering College, Calicut who became the victim of brutalities of police and joined the majority without enjoying the prime of his life at a time when emergency was brought to force in God’s own country. Like all parents, a lot of spectacular expectations were pinned at the back of this budding engineering graduate by his family. But, but, but ...the fate turned very cruel to him.I cant control my anger towards Lord Yama for seizing the life of an innocent man who had no role in naxal group or party activities.I rapidly got the realisation that whom the God loves, die young. Only this line can render some solace to my sobbing heart.

Right from the beginning till the end of this book, I was inquisitive to know whether this utmost loving father derived justice. But never, never, never. Throughout his life, he strived to grant peace to the soul of his son who used to appear in his dreams craving for a plate of rice given to him with great affection by his mother. He was disappeared one day morning while he was at the bus stand with his friends after spending a night at Farook College on behalf of the cultural competitions held there. He was arrested by the police from REC bus stop along with his friends. Owing to the suspicion that he had a role in naxalism and attacks, he was recklessly beaten and finally lost life. But his friends survived and they all were with his father to support him in his pursuit of truth and justice. The cooperation from the part of REC principal Vahabudeen and other professors were commendable. Rajan was in their good book

 throughout his graduate life. Life once lost cannot be regained. His father under the pangs of sorrow amidst the hardships he had to encounter in the old days of life fought his best to bring to limelight what has happened to his son. I salute such a father from the inner most recess of my heart. But the world turned as if the people living here lack the qualm of conscience in P Rajan case.His mother lost mental balance immediately after his demise. His adieu from the mighty world broke all the symphony of his family. He used to sing melodiously and his presence was felt only through the immortal voice for his mother and sisters. His mother had an inclination to singing and Rajan was also gifted with it.Now his father and mother are no more. They have experienced a lot in their rhythmless life after Rajan bid good bye to this world. Eachara Warrier ends the story with a note of optimism that he still does not close the doors of his house as he always expects that someday his son will come to him. He listens to the songs of his loving son which he had never listened to while he was alive ceaselessly. Now he is involved in his son’s voice as a kind of atonement or guilt.

The original book written by Prof.Eachara Warrier. It was later translated into English.

I don’t get words to curb the feelings that I felt after reading this book. Never have I read such a book that dwells deep in sorrow and it is written with the life blood of pain and suffering. How can any father suffer the untimely death of his child? Absolutely a big no will be the answer. There was no Milton to write a Lycidas mourning his death during that time. I regret........The feelings are really gushing from the heart of a common father who found hard to cope with the harsh reality of his son’s disappearance. The language is quite plain with a great clarity of vision and readers are brought along with his mood and nature of writing. For a moment, I placed myself in the place of Prof.Eachara Warrier and thought.... I just can’t picture  such a fate occupying me. I honestly pray for Rajan and his father. Let them enjoy peace and rejoice in the other world where they are not at all haunted by the limitations of time, space, caste, party, religion and so on. I pray to all the Gods-“Let not any other father be suffered by such an unexpected plight”.