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മതിലുകള് | Mathilukal
തിരുവനന്തപുരം സെന്‍‌ട്രല്‍ ജയിലിന്റെ പശ്‌ചാത്തലത്തില്‍ ബഷീര്‍ എഴുതിയ അസാധാരണമായ ഒരു പ്രണയ കഥയാണ് മതിലുകള്. ‘കൌമുദി ’ ആഴ്‌ചപതിപ്പിന്റെ 1964-ലെ ഓണം വിശേഷാല്‍ പ്രതിയിലാണ് മതിലുകള് ആദ്യമായി പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിച്ചത്.
ടി കെ പരീക്കുട്ടി ചന്ദ്രതാരയുടെ ബാനറില്‍ നിര്‍മിച്ച ‘ഭാര്‍ഗവീനിലയം ’ എന്ന ചലച്ചിത്രത്തിന്റെ തിരക്കഥ ബഷീര്‍ അറിഞ്ഞോ അറിയാതെയോ കൌമുദി പത്രാധിപരായ കെ ബാലകൃഷ്‌ണന്‍ കൈവശപ്പെടുത്തി. ഇതു വിശേഷാല്‍ പ്രതിയില്‍ പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിക്കാന്‍ പോകുന്ന വിവരം അറിഞ്ഞ് ബഷീര്‍ തിരുവനന്തപുരത്തു ചെന്ന് ആ തിരക്കഥയ്‌ക്കു പകരമായി എഴുതി കൊടുത്ത് കഥയാണിത്.
മതിലുകള് പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിച്ചതു കൊണ്ടു തന്നെ ഈ വിശേഷാല്‍‌പ്രതിക്ക് ഉടന്‍ ഒരു രണ്ടാം പതിപ്പും അടിക്കേണ്ടി വന്നു. അടൂര്‍ ഗോപാലകൃഷ്‌ണന്‍ പിന്നീട് മതിലുകള് സിനിമയുമാക്കി.
ടി കെ പരീക്കുട്ടി ചന്ദ്രതാരയുടെ ബാനറില്‍ നിര്‍മിച്ച ‘ഭാര്‍ഗവീനിലയം ’ എന്ന ചലച്ചിത്രത്തിന്റെ തിരക്കഥ ബഷീര്‍ അറിഞ്ഞോ അറിയാതെയോ കൌമുദി പത്രാധിപരായ കെ ബാലകൃഷ്‌ണന്‍ കൈവശപ്പെടുത്തി. ഇതു വിശേഷാല്‍ പ്രതിയില്‍ പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിക്കാന്‍ പോകുന്ന വിവരം അറിഞ്ഞ് ബഷീര്‍ തിരുവനന്തപുരത്തു ചെന്ന് ആ തിരക്കഥയ്‌ക്കു പകരമായി എഴുതി കൊടുത്ത് കഥയാണിത്.
മതിലുകള് പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിച്ചതു കൊണ്ടു തന്നെ ഈ വിശേഷാല്‍‌പ്രതിക്ക് ഉടന്‍ ഒരു രണ്ടാം പതിപ്പും അടിക്കേണ്ടി വന്നു. അടൂര്‍ ഗോപാലകൃഷ്‌ണന്‍ പിന്നീട് മതിലുകള് സിനിമയുമാക്കി.
64 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1965
About the author
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer
77 books1,377 followersVaikom Muhammad Basheer is regarded as one of the prominent literary figures ever existed in india. He was a legend in Kerala.
He was one of those outspoken figures who revolutionized Malayalam Literature, and Thus the World Literature itself with his dauntless sarcasm, satire, and black humor.
Often referred to as the Beypore Sultan (the king of Beypore) by the colleagues, he was one of the prominent figures behind the artistical, economical, and social reformation of the Kerala Culture.
His novel Shabdangal (The Voices) was once banned due to its echo that cyclonized a once feudalistic society.
He is also regarded as the translators nightmare. This is mainly because of the colloquial touch he added to his writings, which ethnically speaking would lose its humor and meaning when translated to other languages.
He was the sufi among the writers and and the greatest exponent of Gandhian Thought.
He was awarded with Padma Sri in 1982 for his overall contributions to nation as a freedom fighter, writer, and as a political activist.
He was one of those outspoken figures who revolutionized Malayalam Literature, and Thus the World Literature itself with his dauntless sarcasm, satire, and black humor.
Often referred to as the Beypore Sultan (the king of Beypore) by the colleagues, he was one of the prominent figures behind the artistical, economical, and social reformation of the Kerala Culture.
His novel Shabdangal (The Voices) was once banned due to its echo that cyclonized a once feudalistic society.
He is also regarded as the translators nightmare. This is mainly because of the colloquial touch he added to his writings, which ethnically speaking would lose its humor and meaning when translated to other languages.
He was the sufi among the writers and and the greatest exponent of Gandhian Thought.
He was awarded with Padma Sri in 1982 for his overall contributions to nation as a freedom fighter, writer, and as a political activist.
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September 8, 2017
Basheer's fictionalised prison memoir of his love affair with a voice. Basheer, in the men's prison, falls in love with Narayani, in the women's prison on the other side of the wall. By the time they arrange a tryst to meet inside the prison's infirmary, Basheer is released.
A signature tragicomic tale from the master.
A signature tragicomic tale from the master.
February 10, 2017
ഒരു വ്യത്യസ്തമായ പ്രണയകഥ !
ഒരു പ്രണയവല്ലരി പൂത്തുതളിരിടാന്‍ ഏറ്റവും സാധ്യത കുറഞ്ഞ നിലം തന്നെ കിളച്ചുമറിച്ച് അതിനെ അവിടെത്തന്നെ വളര്‍ത്തിയെടുത്തു ബഷീര്‍ ! ഒരിക്കലും തന്റെ വായനക്കാരെ വിരസത എന്തെന്ന് അറിയിക്കില്ലെന്ന ഉഗ്രപ്രതിജ്ഞയ്ക്ക് ഇത്തവണയും മുടക്കം വരുത്തിയില്ല ബേപ്പൂര്‍ സുല്‍ത്താന്‍ !! ഒരു ജയില്‍വാസക്കാലത്തെ തന്റെ അനുഭവങ്ങള്‍ എത്ര ആസ്വാദ്യകരമായും, രസകരമായും എഴുതിയിരിക്കുന്നു ബഷീര്‍ !!
വെറുതേ ഒരു ഘടാഘടിയന്‍ നോവല്‍ പടച്ചുവിട്ടിട്ട് , വേണേല്‍ വായിച്ചിട്ട് പൊയ്ക്കോ , എന്ന ഭാവം ബഷീറിന് അജ്ഞാതമാണ്. തന്റെ വായനക്കാരുടെ ഹൃദയത്തിന് ഊഷ്മളമായ ഒരു വായനാനുഭവം പകര്‍ന്നുതന്ന്, അവരുടെ അധരങ്ങളില്‍ ഒരുഗ്രന്‍ പുഞ്ചിരി സൃഷ്ടിച്ചു എന്നുറപ്പു വരുത്തിയിട്ടേ മൂപ്പര്‍ അടങ്ങൂ !
ബഷീര്‍ , .... നമിക്കുന്നു അങ്ങയെ !!
നാരായണിയുടെയും കഥാനായകന്റെയും പ്രണയം, അതിന്റെ നിഷ്കളങ്കത, മൊത്തത്തില്‍ ഒരു കിടിലന്‍ ബഷീര്‍ കൃതി !
' മതിലുകള് ' എന്ന നോവല്‍ പോലെത്തന്നെ , നോവലിന്റെ കൂടെയുള്ള, ബഷീര്‍ മതിലുകള് എഴുതാനിടയായ കഥ വിവരിക്കുന്ന, പഴവിള രമേശന്റെ ' മതിലുക'ളുടെ പണിപ്പുരയില്‍ ' എന്ന ഓര്‍മ്മക്കുറിപ്പും ആസ്വാദ്യകരമാണ്.
ഒരു പ്രണയവല്ലരി പൂത്തുതളിരിടാന്‍ ഏറ്റവും സാധ്യത കുറഞ്ഞ നിലം തന്നെ കിളച്ചുമറിച്ച് അതിനെ അവിടെത്തന്നെ വളര്‍ത്തിയെടുത്തു ബഷീര്‍ ! ഒരിക്കലും തന്റെ വായനക്കാരെ വിരസത എന്തെന്ന് അറിയിക്കില്ലെന്ന ഉഗ്രപ്രതിജ്ഞയ്ക്ക് ഇത്തവണയും മുടക്കം വരുത്തിയില്ല ബേപ്പൂര്‍ സുല്‍ത്താന്‍ !! ഒരു ജയില്‍വാസക്കാലത്തെ തന്റെ അനുഭവങ്ങള്‍ എത്ര ആസ്വാദ്യകരമായും, രസകരമായും എഴുതിയിരിക്കുന്നു ബഷീര്‍ !!
വെറുതേ ഒരു ഘടാഘടിയന്‍ നോവല്‍ പടച്ചുവിട്ടിട്ട് , വേണേല്‍ വായിച്ചിട്ട് പൊയ്ക്കോ , എന്ന ഭാവം ബഷീറിന് അജ്ഞാതമാണ്. തന്റെ വായനക്കാരുടെ ഹൃദയത്തിന് ഊഷ്മളമായ ഒരു വായനാനുഭവം പകര്‍ന്നുതന്ന്, അവരുടെ അധരങ്ങളില്‍ ഒരുഗ്രന്‍ പുഞ്ചിരി സൃഷ്ടിച്ചു എന്നുറപ്പു വരുത്തിയിട്ടേ മൂപ്പര്‍ അടങ്ങൂ !
ബഷീര്‍ , .... നമിക്കുന്നു അങ്ങയെ !!
നാരായണിയുടെയും കഥാനായകന്റെയും പ്രണയം, അതിന്റെ നിഷ്കളങ്കത, മൊത്തത്തില്‍ ഒരു കിടിലന്‍ ബഷീര്‍ കൃതി !
' മതിലുകള് ' എന്ന നോവല്‍ പോലെത്തന്നെ , നോവലിന്റെ കൂടെയുള്ള, ബഷീര്‍ മതിലുകള് എഴുതാനിടയായ കഥ വിവരിക്കുന്ന, പഴവിള രമേശന്റെ ' മതിലുക'ളുടെ പണിപ്പുരയില്‍ ' എന്ന ഓര്‍മ്മക്കുറിപ്പും ആസ്വാദ്യകരമാണ്.
March 12, 2021
இந்த மதிலுக்கு உயிர் இருக்கிறது...🖤
முதல் 30 பக்கங்கள் அருமை
முதல் 30 பக்கங்கள் அருமை
December 18, 2020
இக்கதையின் கதாநாயகன் கூறுகிறான் "ஜெயில் எனபது சின்ன சிறை, உலகம் என்பது பெரிய சிறை". எத்தனை உண்மையானது இந்த கூற்று. ஜெயிலில் கண்ணுக்குப் புலப்படும் மதில்கள். பெருஞ்சிறையில் கண்ணுக்குப் புலப்படாத எத்தனையோ மதில்கள். இதை எழுதும் போது அப்படியான பெருஞ்சிறையில் அடைபட்ட கைதிகளில் நானும் ஒருவனாக உணர்கிறேன். எல்லாம் கை கூடி வரும் வேளையில் மாற்றம் ஒன்றே நிலையானது என்ற உண்மை புலப்படும். சுகுமாரன் அவர்களது மொழிபெயர்ப்பு கதையை அதன் போக்கில் வாசிக்க உதவுகிறது. பஷீரின் நகைச்சுவை உணர்வு கதையுடன் கலந்து ஒரு மெல்லிய புன்முறுவலை ஏற்படுத்தத் தவறுவதேயில்லை. எத்தனையோ திரைப்படங்களில் பார்த்த ஜெயிலின் நுணுக்கங்களையும் திரைமறைவான விடயங்களையும், கொடுக்கல் வாங்கல்களையும் 1965-ல் அவர் எழுதியிருப்பது ஆச்சர்யம் அளிக்கிறது. காலச்சுவடின் இந்த மின்நூலில், இந்த குறுநாவல் உருவான விதத்தை பக்கத்தில் இருந்து பார்த்த ரமேசனின் விவரிப்பு கட்டுரை மிகுந்த வியப்பையும் ஆர்வமூட்டுவதாகவும் உள்ளது. இக்கதையை பின்பு திரைப்படமாக உருவாக்கிய அடூர் கோபாலகிருஷ்ணன் எழுதிய கட்டுரையில் எழுத்தின் ஆழத்தையும், திரை மொழியின��� இலக்கணத்தையும், இது போன்ற உணர்வுபூர்வமான கதையை திரைப்படமாக எடுக்கும் போது சந்திக்கும் சவால்களையும் அதை எவ்வாறு எதிர்கொள்வது என்ற அவரது விளக்கங்களும் எழுத்தாளர்களுக்கும், திரைப்பட துறை ஆர்வலர்களுக்கும் பாலபாடமாக இருக்க வேண்டியவை. இணையத்தில் எங்கு தேடியும் இந்தத் திரைப்படம் காணக் கிடைக்கவில்லை என்ற ஒரே வருத்தம். 2017-ம் ஆண்டின் கடைசி தினத்தில் வாசிக்க நேர்ந்த இந்தப் புத்தகம் என் விருப்பப் பட்டியலில் எப்போதும் இடம் பெறும் . சுரா (சுந்தர ராமசாமி இல்லை) எழுதிய மொழிபெயர்ப்பையும் பஷீரின் பிற படைப்புகளையும் தேடிப் படிக்க வேண்டும் என்ற ஆவல்களைத் தூண்டியுள்ளது இப்புத்தகம்.
March 29, 2021
பசீரின் இம்மதில் என்றும் மனதை விட்டு நீங்காது.
December 19, 2020
வாசித்து முடிக்கும் போது ஒரு பெரும் அமைதி சூழ்ந்து கொள்கிறது. எனக்குள் நானே கேட்டுக் கொள்கிறேன், "இந்த அமைதி கனக்கப் போகிறதா?"
July 3, 2021
விடுதலையை ஒரு மனம் விட்டுக் கொடுக்குமா அப்படி கொடுக்கும் என்றால் அதற்கு என்ன காரணமாக இருக்கும் காதலை தவிர. பஷீர் உடைய எழுத்துக்கள் உள்ளார்ந்த கிளர்ச்சியையும் நம்முடைய உணர்வுகளையும் உள்ளொன்று உறையச் செய்கிறது உன் மதில்கள் நம் உருவங்களை தான் மறைக்க முடியும் உணர்வுகளை இல்லை
June 9, 2012
i have read almost all of Bhashir's.we have COMPLETE WORKS OF VAIKOM MUHAMMED BHASHEER. the unbearable feeling after missing a chance of meeting someone who is recognised only by her voice and the feeling of upon released from prison.the writer puts you in a dilemma which cant be expressed fully ,it can only be experienced
that emotion which is difficult to express,only such a great writer like BHASHEER can pen down such aesthetic feelings
that emotion which is difficult to express,only such a great writer like BHASHEER can pen down such aesthetic feelings
January 15, 2022
What is the role of walls (Mathilukal)? What role do they play in keeping someone in or out and do they at all play a role in how you feel?
Basheer's book is a genius of a book that is more than a love story. We meet the political prisoner Basheer talking his way into good books of the warden and political prisoners. In the company of people the walls do not scare him and he is happy to make tea, play cards or discuss Kapital with his fellow prisoners. When an announcement comes to release the political prisoners everyone is ready to leave in neatly pressed dresses. Due to a clerical error, Basheer remains.
The same walls that housed him now becomes a confinement and he feels depressed. He wishes for a prison break and soon he joins some prisoners in gardening near the boundary wall between men's and women's jail. There he listens to the voice of Narayani a female prisoner. What starts off as a leery flirting soon becomes something he looks forward to. There is hope and he gifts her rose plants and she food.
Just when the lovers decide to meet at the hospital, the warden releases him. In his confusion, he asks "What do i need freedom for?".
A lovely book that is marred only by a brief episode of lecherousness that I found creepy.
PS: Loved the fact that I could listen to this in Malayalam and the narrator deserves a special mention!
Basheer's book is a genius of a book that is more than a love story. We meet the political prisoner Basheer talking his way into good books of the warden and political prisoners. In the company of people the walls do not scare him and he is happy to make tea, play cards or discuss Kapital with his fellow prisoners. When an announcement comes to release the political prisoners everyone is ready to leave in neatly pressed dresses. Due to a clerical error, Basheer remains.
The same walls that housed him now becomes a confinement and he feels depressed. He wishes for a prison break and soon he joins some prisoners in gardening near the boundary wall between men's and women's jail. There he listens to the voice of Narayani a female prisoner. What starts off as a leery flirting soon becomes something he looks forward to. There is hope and he gifts her rose plants and she food.
Just when the lovers decide to meet at the hospital, the warden releases him. In his confusion, he asks "What do i need freedom for?".
A lovely book that is marred only by a brief episode of lecherousness that I found creepy.
PS: Loved the fact that I could listen to this in Malayalam and the narrator deserves a special mention!
November 13, 2019
Four and Half Stars.
Long back I read it. I loved it when I read it.
Long back I read it. I loved it when I read it.
Read
March 17, 2013A beautiful love story. But the ending is pretty confusing..
January 12, 2021
" ഞാൻ പറയുന്നത് സോപ്പിന്റെ ഗന്ധമല്ല, ഇഞയുടെയോ താളിയുടെയോ എണ്ണയുടെയോ ഗന്ധമല്ല, പൗഡറും വിയർപ്പും കൂടിക്കലർന്ന ഗന്ധവുമല്ല , സാക്ഷാൽ സ്ത്രീയുടെ അതിശയകരമായ ഗന്ധം !"
Masterpiece....
Masterpiece....
September 21, 2021
I get that Basheer is a revolutionary author of Malayalam literature. But the narrator/author came off as a gynophilic pervert which bothered me throughout the book.
February 6, 2022
ഇഷ്ടായി. നല്ല രസം ഉള്ള ഒരു വായന അല്ലെങ്കിൽ കേൾവി.
Want to read
June 14, 2013read
November 30, 2013
a love story by mohamma basheer
February 14, 2021
A tale that will stay in ur heart for ever.
December 21, 2021
Read often.
Read again and again.
That's all about Basheer books.
Read again and again.
That's all about Basheer books.
September 22, 2018
Blog: https://thosebittersweetmemories.blog...
About the Book:
Mathilukal (Wall) is about the author himself and his never met love. both are imprisoned and separated by a huge wall that divides their prisons.
Got to know about this ace Malayalam writer and purchased three of his books that was translated in Tamil by காலச்சுவடு Kaalachuvadu publications. 'Balyakalasakhi', 'Mathilukal' and 'Enga Uppuppavukku Oru Aana Irunthathu'
Quotes From The Book:
Basheer says ” I’m the garden, I’m the flower” What about the fruit? Yes I'm the fruit too!
Movie Version of Mathilukal (Malayalam):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRwGY...
About the Book:
Mathilukal (Wall) is about the author himself and his never met love. both are imprisoned and separated by a huge wall that divides their prisons.
Got to know about this ace Malayalam writer and purchased three of his books that was translated in Tamil by காலச்சுவடு Kaalachuvadu publications. 'Balyakalasakhi', 'Mathilukal' and 'Enga Uppuppavukku Oru Aana Irunthathu'
Quotes From The Book:
Basheer says ” I’m the garden, I’m the flower” What about the fruit? Yes I'm the fruit too!
Movie Version of Mathilukal (Malayalam):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRwGY...
July 17, 2018
One could feel good of the life of prisoners, the freedom they enjoy by the way the author describes it, 'Why should I go to the jail outside the prison?!' The yearning for love and life makes it a compelling read.
July 17, 2020
I loved the movie adaptation, when I saw it during an IFFK few years ago. And reading the book now, I am convinced that the movie did the source material justice. But, there is something so intimate about reading what Basheer wrote rather than seeing it. I'd recommend everyone to do both. Read the book. Watch the movie. Both are monumental in its respective form and execution. Bravo, master. And Mammootty as Basheer, and KPAC Lalita as Narayani is an experience in itself.
May 9, 2020
വ്യത്യസ്തമായ വായനാനുഭവം, ചിന്തിപ്പിക്കുന്ന വരികൾ
"നാരായണിയുടെ അടയാളം ഈ ഭൂഗോളത്തിലെങ്ങു മുണ്ട് ' വേദനയോടെ നാരായണി ചോദിച്ചു : " ഭൂഗോളത്തിലെങ്ങുമോ ? . . . അങ്ങ് മുഖസ്തുതി പറയുന്ന തെന്തിന് ? ഞാൻ പറഞ്ഞു : " നാരായണീ , മുഖസ്തുതിയല്ല ! പരമസത്യം . . . മതിലുകൾ . മതിലുകൾ ' ഞാൻ മതിലിൽ നോക്കിനിന്നു . അപ്പുറം നിശ്ശബ്ദമാണ് . കുറെക്കഴിഞ്ഞ് നാരായണി പറഞ്ഞു : " ഞാനൊന്നു പൊട്ടിക്കരയട��ടെ ? '"
"നാരായണിയുടെ അടയാളം ഈ ഭൂഗോളത്തിലെങ്ങു മുണ്ട് ' വേദനയോടെ നാരായണി ചോദിച്ചു : " ഭൂഗോളത്തിലെങ്ങുമോ ? . . . അങ്ങ് മുഖസ്തുതി പറയുന്ന തെന്തിന് ? ഞാൻ പറഞ്ഞു : " നാരായണീ , മുഖസ്തുതിയല്ല ! പരമസത്യം . . . മതിലുകൾ . മതിലുകൾ ' ഞാൻ മതിലിൽ നോക്കിനിന്നു . അപ്പുറം നിശ്ശബ്ദമാണ് . കുറെക്കഴിഞ്ഞ് നാരായണി പറഞ്ഞു : " ഞാനൊന്നു പൊട്ടിക്കരയട��ടെ ? '"
June 23, 2014
I saw the movie first. After that, I was eager to read the book. Its a short novel, but very touching. Loved Basheer's writing and his simplicity!!!
July 3, 2020
വായിച്ചു,
കേട്ടൂ,
ഇനി പടം കാണണം!
ഈ വർഷത്തെ മതിലുകൾ വാരം!
കേട്ടൂ,
ഇനി പടം കാണണം!
ഈ വർഷത്തെ മതിലുകൾ വാരം!
December 25, 2020
**Warning, The below is more akin to detailed synopsis than a review. Read on**
മതിലുകള് അഥവാ സ്ത്രീയുടെ ഗന്ധം
The story begins with a political prisoner, captured and sentenced to imprisonment. He is a stand in for the author, and shares several character traits with him. The story itself is autobiographical fiction, taking pages from Basheer’s own time in prison during the independence movement.
Having travelled around the world for years and being acquainted with a wide variety of people, our protagonist takes his capture and imprisonment in stride, as yet another chapter in the journey that is his life.
From the onset we are made aware of his sociable nature, which allows him to befriend fellow prisoners, his captors and wardens. By engaging them at a human level he is able to be the friendly guy for whom others are all too happy to do favors and form acquaintance with.
Using the limited means within the prison he is able to meet all his meager day to day requirements. Contraband matches which he cuts up with a razor to increase their use, along with beedis, the ever constant companion to the revolutionary intellectual. Sugar, tea leaves and a bootstrap cooking place to indulge in the refreshing luxury of black tea in prison.
Chips, condiments, pickles and other rare snacks; gifted from fellow prisoners and wardens, or scrounged from the black market. A thick piece of woolen jamukkalam to give warmth at night.
By becoming a favorite to the wardens and superintendent he is able to engage in gardening in his lonely cell block. And in a short time grow roses and other beautiful flowers which become the must have commodity in the prison, popular to all.
In short, he is able to make the most of his circumstances and live a content life, thankful for being alive. Except for one thing that is devoid. The scent, sight and touch of a woman. Being placed close to the wall which separates the male and female prisons, the presence of an illusive treasure unreachable to him, drives him insane at times. On lonely nights, he ponders over, and fantasizes about that world that he had no access to.
So their lives within the walls progress, with some bemusing incidents and everyday grind.
In response to events unmentioned, the political prisoners in incarceration, of which our protagonist was a part of, were given release. All those involved were excited. They shaved and groomed themselves neatly, pressed and ironed their clothes to wear on the day of release and eagerly awaited the day of freedom.
The day came, and all were released, all that is except our protagonist. An error in some bureaucratic process, or deliberate interference, now he found himself along bereft of the company of peers he had cultivated over the years.
Following this he drops to slump. Food doesn’t taste good, the energy was sucked from his body, even tending to his garden no longer gave him joy. At one point he even contemplates and plans for prison break.
His fellow prisoners worried for his state, forced him to come out and work with them in a newly constructed vegetable garden. It is there that he and others discover a hole in the wall separating the men and women.
And throw this portal they gain access to a world that was alien to them so far. One day, as our prisoner was lounging about trying to catch and tame some squirrels, he encountered a voice from the other side of the wall.
It is a female prisoner named narayani. Her voice and words he is able to share with her bring a new life to his tired soul. Over time, he gifts her rose plants from the garden, she gifts him food and delicacies from her side. And two lonely souls find fulfilment in this facsimile of a human interaction.
They meet from time to time, when she wants to meet, Narayani throws a stick above the wall, visible to the prisoner, and he then rushes to her side of the wall.
As their intangible relationship progresses thus, as the restlessness builds up in both, they decide to try and catch a glimpse of each other. And resolve to do so in the prison infirmary. Having never seen each other, they exchange markers and signals to identify one another and promise to be there on the decided day and time.
The day before, the assistant warden, a good acquaintance of our prisoner, comes to his prison cell and engages in conversation. At his request the prisoner wears the clothes which he had ironed and kept aside for his failed release. Once he does, the warden breaks the surprise, the prisoner has been given release and is now a free man.
As the clueless warden escorts the prisoner from the prison cell to outside the prison, he keeps looking back at the stick which had been thrown over and over awaiting his presence. When realization came, he was already standing outside with a forlorn feeling, and a rose flower meant for her, in his hand.
മതിലുകള് അഥവാ സ്ത്രീയുടെ ഗന്ധം
The story begins with a political prisoner, captured and sentenced to imprisonment. He is a stand in for the author, and shares several character traits with him. The story itself is autobiographical fiction, taking pages from Basheer’s own time in prison during the independence movement.
Having travelled around the world for years and being acquainted with a wide variety of people, our protagonist takes his capture and imprisonment in stride, as yet another chapter in the journey that is his life.
From the onset we are made aware of his sociable nature, which allows him to befriend fellow prisoners, his captors and wardens. By engaging them at a human level he is able to be the friendly guy for whom others are all too happy to do favors and form acquaintance with.
Using the limited means within the prison he is able to meet all his meager day to day requirements. Contraband matches which he cuts up with a razor to increase their use, along with beedis, the ever constant companion to the revolutionary intellectual. Sugar, tea leaves and a bootstrap cooking place to indulge in the refreshing luxury of black tea in prison.
Chips, condiments, pickles and other rare snacks; gifted from fellow prisoners and wardens, or scrounged from the black market. A thick piece of woolen jamukkalam to give warmth at night.
By becoming a favorite to the wardens and superintendent he is able to engage in gardening in his lonely cell block. And in a short time grow roses and other beautiful flowers which become the must have commodity in the prison, popular to all.
In short, he is able to make the most of his circumstances and live a content life, thankful for being alive. Except for one thing that is devoid. The scent, sight and touch of a woman. Being placed close to the wall which separates the male and female prisons, the presence of an illusive treasure unreachable to him, drives him insane at times. On lonely nights, he ponders over, and fantasizes about that world that he had no access to.
So their lives within the walls progress, with some bemusing incidents and everyday grind.
In response to events unmentioned, the political prisoners in incarceration, of which our protagonist was a part of, were given release. All those involved were excited. They shaved and groomed themselves neatly, pressed and ironed their clothes to wear on the day of release and eagerly awaited the day of freedom.
The day came, and all were released, all that is except our protagonist. An error in some bureaucratic process, or deliberate interference, now he found himself along bereft of the company of peers he had cultivated over the years.
Following this he drops to slump. Food doesn’t taste good, the energy was sucked from his body, even tending to his garden no longer gave him joy. At one point he even contemplates and plans for prison break.
His fellow prisoners worried for his state, forced him to come out and work with them in a newly constructed vegetable garden. It is there that he and others discover a hole in the wall separating the men and women.
And throw this portal they gain access to a world that was alien to them so far. One day, as our prisoner was lounging about trying to catch and tame some squirrels, he encountered a voice from the other side of the wall.
It is a female prisoner named narayani. Her voice and words he is able to share with her bring a new life to his tired soul. Over time, he gifts her rose plants from the garden, she gifts him food and delicacies from her side. And two lonely souls find fulfilment in this facsimile of a human interaction.
They meet from time to time, when she wants to meet, Narayani throws a stick above the wall, visible to the prisoner, and he then rushes to her side of the wall.
As their intangible relationship progresses thus, as the restlessness builds up in both, they decide to try and catch a glimpse of each other. And resolve to do so in the prison infirmary. Having never seen each other, they exchange markers and signals to identify one another and promise to be there on the decided day and time.
The day before, the assistant warden, a good acquaintance of our prisoner, comes to his prison cell and engages in conversation. At his request the prisoner wears the clothes which he had ironed and kept aside for his failed release. Once he does, the warden breaks the surprise, the prisoner has been given release and is now a free man.
As the clueless warden escorts the prisoner from the prison cell to outside the prison, he keeps looking back at the stick which had been thrown over and over awaiting his presence. When realization came, he was already standing outside with a forlorn feeling, and a rose flower meant for her, in his hand.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2022
well well... first of all, it's a small story. the author has written this book based on his experiences while he was imprisoned for treason - during the independence times of india. the book started off very easy - it was more or less like his journal entry, nothing very interesting. well, how interesting the life in jail can be after all?
after a few days in jail, things started to transform. his writing style is changed. now, he is appreciating the small things in the jail surroundings. like, talking to the rose flowers in his garden, smoking just half of a cigarette/beedi & splitting the matchsticks in two - because he doesn't want to be extravagant. he's making friends with other inmates, enjoying the sneaked-in food, etc. basically, he's now used to his new world.
but that did not last too long. all inmates were released out of jail except him. he was sad. no prized possessions of all other inmates combined could draw a smile on his face. nothing made him happy. he was falling into depression.
after a few such confusing and mind-numbing days, he happened to hear a voice of a girl on the other side of his wall. they talked and soon they were in love, even though they have not seen or touched each other. like a droplet of water in the desert, the ray of hope has now entered back to his life. he's now thinking about this mysterious girl all the time. he wakes up every day excited so that he can talk to her. ho goes to bed thinking about her. soon all the little things that he used to appreciate were back. they're now exchanging flowers, sneaked-in food, and so on. love was all in the air!
one day, they planned to meet each other in the prison infirmary. the excitement and sexual tension of both of them filled all over the walls of the jail.
just when, the day they were about to meet for the first time, the unexpected has happened. the jailer has come to see him with a news. the order has come to release him!
he was sad and angry. he didn't want to go but he had no choice! the story ends there.
"life is like a box of chocolates. you never know what you gonna get!" - Forrest Gump // this quote is very fitting to this story. the book showcases many different human emotions, and how it is influenced by many other things around us. the same confinement has given him good and terrible memories. life as a whole is just like that!
after a few days in jail, things started to transform. his writing style is changed. now, he is appreciating the small things in the jail surroundings. like, talking to the rose flowers in his garden, smoking just half of a cigarette/beedi & splitting the matchsticks in two - because he doesn't want to be extravagant. he's making friends with other inmates, enjoying the sneaked-in food, etc. basically, he's now used to his new world.
but that did not last too long. all inmates were released out of jail except him. he was sad. no prized possessions of all other inmates combined could draw a smile on his face. nothing made him happy. he was falling into depression.
after a few such confusing and mind-numbing days, he happened to hear a voice of a girl on the other side of his wall. they talked and soon they were in love, even though they have not seen or touched each other. like a droplet of water in the desert, the ray of hope has now entered back to his life. he's now thinking about this mysterious girl all the time. he wakes up every day excited so that he can talk to her. ho goes to bed thinking about her. soon all the little things that he used to appreciate were back. they're now exchanging flowers, sneaked-in food, and so on. love was all in the air!
one day, they planned to meet each other in the prison infirmary. the excitement and sexual tension of both of them filled all over the walls of the jail.
just when, the day they were about to meet for the first time, the unexpected has happened. the jailer has come to see him with a news. the order has come to release him!
he was sad and angry. he didn't want to go but he had no choice! the story ends there.
"life is like a box of chocolates. you never know what you gonna get!" - Forrest Gump // this quote is very fitting to this story. the book showcases many different human emotions, and how it is influenced by many other things around us. the same confinement has given him good and terrible memories. life as a whole is just like that!
June 11, 2019
Mathilukal is a short and simple novel written by Vaikkom Muhammed Bashir. The novel portrays Basheer's life incident at a jail in which he fell in love with a lady. But the novel ends with a tragedy that they won't see each other. The lady Narayani with just 22 years of age is the only young one in that women jail. The big wall that separates the two gender jails acts as a barrier between their pure love. Brasher was imprisoned for writing which was forbidden at the time of Independence by the British authorities. Narayani was supposed to live 14 years in jail. They talk each other from the two sides of the big wall and even exchanges materials by throwing so as to pass it above the wall. When Basheer was admitted to jail there were so many political leaders but they were set free except Basheer and that is what prompted him to escape from the jail illegally. But the blind meeting that happens with Narayani changes his mind and he considers the outside world as a bigger jail. Finally Narayani worked out a plan to see each other at the hospital section of the jail on a Thursday but the fate didn't allowed them as Basheer was set free on Wednesday just a day before the proposed meeting. He even failed to let Narayani know that there is no point in waiting for him. That's how the novel ends.
The novel is popular because of the Basheer's slang's and his way of expressing a personal experience. His love for nature and his infinitely wide mind that include all living beings clearly attracts the readers.
The novel is popular because of the Basheer's slang's and his way of expressing a personal experience. His love for nature and his infinitely wide mind that include all living beings clearly attracts the readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2020
തിലുകൾ
.
.Author : വൈക്കം മുഹമ്മദ് ബഷീർ
.Publishers : ഡി സി ബുക്സ്
.
ബഷീർ എഴുതിയ പ്രേമകഥകളിൽ വച്ച് ഏറ്റവും അസാധാരണമായ പ്രേമകഥയാണ് ‘മതിലുകൾ’.
.. കഥാകൃത്തിന്റെ ജയിൽവാസം വർണനാവിഷമാകുന്ന പുസ്തകമാണ് മതിലുകൾ. രാഷ്ട്രീയത്തടവുകാർ അനുഭവിക്കേണ്ടി വരുന്ന ദുരിതങ്ങളും മർദ്ദനങ്ങളുടെ കാഠിന്യവും ആവിഷ്കരിക്കുന്നതിൽ നിന്ന് വ്യത്യസ്തമായി, ജയിലിന്റെ മതിൽക്കെട്ടിനുള്ളിൽ മൊട്ടിടുന്ന പ്രണയം ഇവിടെ ചർച്ചാ വിഷയമാകുന്നു.
ഒരു ചെറിയ കാലത്തെ ജയിൽവാസം വളരെ മനോഹരമായി അനാവശ്യമായ വലിച്ചുനീട്ടലുകൾ ഇല്ലാതെ തന്റെ സ്ഥിരം ശൈലിയിൽ കഥാകൃത്ത് അവതരിപ്പിരിക്കുന്നു.
പരസ്പരം കാണാതെയെങ്കിലും നാരായണിയുടെ പ്രണയം കഥാനായകന് ജയിലിലെ ഒറ്റപ്പെടലിൽ നിന്ന് മോചനം നൽകുന്നു. ഒരു വ്യത്യസ്തമായ ജയിൽ ജീവിതം ആസ്വദിക്കാൻ വായനക്കാർക്ക് അവസരം ലഭിക്കുന്നു. . .
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.Author : വൈക്കം മുഹമ്മദ് ബഷീർ
.Publishers : ഡി സി ബുക്സ്
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ബഷീർ എഴുതിയ പ്രേമകഥകളിൽ വച്ച് ഏറ്റവും അസാധാരണമായ പ്രേമകഥയാണ് ‘മതിലുകൾ’.
.. കഥാകൃത്തിന്റെ ജയിൽവാസം വർണനാവിഷമാകുന്ന പുസ്തകമാണ് മതിലുകൾ. രാഷ്ട്രീയത്തടവുകാർ അനുഭവിക്കേണ്ടി വരുന്ന ദുരിതങ്ങളും മർദ്ദനങ്ങളുടെ കാഠിന്യവും ആവിഷ്കരിക്കുന്നതിൽ നിന്ന് വ്യത്യസ്തമായി, ജയിലിന്റെ മതിൽക്കെട്ടിനുള്ളിൽ മൊട്ടിടുന്ന പ്രണയം ഇവിടെ ചർച്ചാ വിഷയമാകുന്നു.
ഒരു ചെറിയ കാലത്തെ ജയിൽവാസം വളരെ മനോഹരമായി അനാവശ്യമായ വലിച്ചുനീട്ടലുകൾ ഇല്ലാതെ തന്റെ സ്ഥിരം ശൈലിയിൽ കഥാകൃത്ത് അവതരിപ്പിരിക്കുന്നു.
പരസ്പരം കാണാതെയെങ്കിലും നാരായണിയുടെ പ്രണയം കഥാനായകന് ജയിലിലെ ഒറ്റപ്പെടലിൽ നിന്ന് മോചനം നൽകുന്നു. ഒരു വ്യത്യസ്തമായ ജയിൽ ജീവിതം ആസ്വദിക്കാൻ വായനക്കാർക്ക് അവസരം ലഭിക്കുന്നു. . .
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പ്രണയത്തിന് സമയവും സ്ഥലവും പ്രായവും സാഹചര്യവും ഒന്നു മൊരു വിലങ്ങുതടിയല്ലെന്ന് കാട്ടിത്തന്ന ഒരു നോവൽ. ജയിലിൽ കിടക്കുമ്പോൾ മതിലിന് അപ്പുറത്തുള്ള പെൺ ���യിലിലെ നാരായണിയായി പ്രണയത്തിലാകുന്ന കഥാനായകൻ. കാണാതെയും അറിയാതെയും ശബ്ദം കൊണ്ട് തിരിച്ചറിയുന്ന ഒരു തരം പ്രണയം. എങ്ങനെയും കാണണമെന്ന് കലശലായി ആഗ്രഹിച്ച്, അവസാനം അതിനുള്ള സമയവും തീയതിയും ഒക്കെ നിശ്ചയിച്ചിട്ട്, ആ ദിവസത്തിനായി കാത്തിരിക്കുന്നു. വിവാഹം കഴിച്ചാൽ മാത്രമേ പ്രണയം വിജയിക്കൂവെന്ന് പലരും പറയുകയുള്ളൂ. എന്നാൽ പ്രണയത്തിന്റെ അവസാനം വിവാഹമല്ലെന്നും ഓർമ്മപ്പെടുത്തുന്ന ഒരു നോവൽ. ഈ നോവലിനെ ആസ്പദമാക്കി ഇതേ പേരിൽ ഒരു മലയാള സിനിമ കൂടി ഇറങ്ങിയിട്ടുണ്ടെന്ന് എല്ലാർക്കും അറിയാവുന്നതാണല്ലോ. നഷ്ട പ്രണയത്തിന്റെ വേദന ചെറിയ വാക്കുകളിൽ വലിയ രീതിയിൽ അവതരിപ്പിച്ച ഒരു നോവൽ.
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