Prof. with ‘unbreakable memories’. T.J. On his 65th birthday, Joseph walked 21km along the Sear riverside footpath in Clonmel, Ireland. It is a riverside footpath that people use only for morning evening walks, cycling etc. Not like back home, no rush at all, no need to fear vehicles… just walk.
July 22 is T.J. Joseph’s birthday. I started walking thinking that my birthday would be different. During that walk, he remembered the 4th of July 2010 attack by religious extremists. But what was more to remember was a round of Jupiter following that and the things that still had to be done. The stitched right arm and the cut heel did not seem to be lacking in his walk. Prof. Joseph left far behind. This is the first time in his life that Joseph has walked this far.
Although he can never forget the past, Joseph is not ready to dwell on it. Now he is free. I have to travel a lot and write. No thoughts of anything else.
Forgiveness has long been given to those who cut off their hands. The first accused is yet to be arrested. No worries regarding that now. My attitudes are filled with ‘unbreakable memories’. Joseph said that he was not surprised or overjoyed to receive the 2021 Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for his autobiography. That book was written with his left hand when he realized that he might no longer write with his right hand. Joseph says that every time he sat down to write the book, he felt a lot of reticence.
The left hand was taught to write with great difficulty. The writing started in 2011. Later it was postponed several times. Completed in December 2019. For two parts. At first it was thought to end with the first part. Then the book was completed by adding the second part including the childhood and growing up situation. The sculpture of the novel was adopted for the first part. The second part was given the structure of short story and essay.
Already 25,500 books have been sold in nine editions. Earlier, his brother Ayyappan had received the memorial award. Gurunathan M.K. Joseph says his joy at receiving the award from SANU was indescribable. Joseph sees Sanu’s words that Uncut Memories is a great book and it is beautifully written than any award. MK in not one, but in all the Palavedis. Joseph said that Zanu had made the same clear.
Last September, Indelible Memories was published in English by Penguin Books. The English translation is A Thousand dCuts. It is also subtitled An Innocent Question An Deadly Answers. Vallathol’s son’s son K. Nandakumar is the English translator of Indelible Memories. Shashi Tharoor and Satchidanandan, who have read the English translation, have written excellent comments. Two more books by T.J. Joseph’s. The first was ‘Nalla Pathamal’ released in 2015. Finally wrote a collection of 14 essays ‘Praise to the Madman’.
Joseph is now with his daughter and son-in-law, who are looking for work as nurses in Ireland. He came for a visit on June 29 last. Joseph says that there are days in Ireland where he has no time to rest. He is a speaker, inaugurate and special guest in various Malayalam societies. Since the Sahitya Akademi award came to know, many people from the country called and congratulated him. After that, he was busy welcoming the Irish Malayalis at various venues. Joseph will visit London on September 9. Will reach Kerala on September 18. And Joseph is finding the energy to travel a lot and to be seven, even if there are no trips soon. The seeds of novels and short stories have sprouted. I am used to writing with my left hand, but the problem is that I am not very fast. So I am writing on mobile now. Writing is done by pressing the index finger of the stitched right hand on the mobile screen. When that happens, you can always write anywhere. Can be edited as needed. He also says that mobile writing is easier. Still can’t do much with the right hand. The other fingers do not come face to face with the big toe. Can’t eat with right hand.
In the meantime, the discussions regarding making the unforgettable memories into a movie had started. But Joseph didn’t give it the green light so he didn’t go to the third. Prominent directors approached him. Let’s hope that this life story full of conscientious experiences will not be far from becoming a movie.
Baiju Bhasi