‘Two Leaves and a Bud’, a book written by M A Chacko, comprises three distinct stories that
weave their magic in the novel. The first story ‘The Faithful Husband’ is based
on the Syrian Catholic Community, which remained a separate entity for
centuries together. They were agriculturists and their large families needed
more land for their livelihood. They had set principles and pet beliefs often
detrimental to the growth of society. Their love for the soil and hard work
they put in was noteworthy.
There was an exodus on the community from
central Kerala to acquire more land from the Malabar Namboodiries as the later
wanted to sell the excess land and escape from the Land Ceiling Act to be
enforced by the World ‘s first democratically elected communist government to
power in mid twenties.
Seby, a true Sunday Christen, through his
endeavours, cunningness and chicanery tried to expand the family tradition. His
ideology of self above everything was a sage in itself despite the new order.
The second story is about an artist and his pursuits for art for
art sake. A mature artist, charmed by the beauty of a rustic girl, selects her
as his model, and she encourages him and complies with his requirements
wholeheartedly. Engulfed and mesmerised by her picture on the canvas, she
wallows in an imaginary world. Chacko fluently discusses the interplay of
family, values, society, marriage, dowry and property on the day to day life of
the community.
‘The Holiday’, the final story, is a day in the life of Raymond,
who wanders through the old haunts of Goa on his day off. With his leisurely
pace and graceful style, it gives a kaleidoscopic view of the tourist in this
multi-cultured tourist spot Goa.
The title of the second story is chosen as the title of the book
as the title as the other stories on either side somehow coincide with the
middle story, the bud. The first story is related to the past and second more
concerned with the love for art, the universal theme. The third is the mundane
affairs mildly touching Goa.
The book, published by Crossword Book Stores, Mumbai, was recently
released at the Black Box, Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. Tomazinho Cardozo, writer
and Ex speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly, was the Chief Guest and Dr Susan
Deborah, Assistant Professor MES College, blogger and ecowriter, was the Guest
of Honour. Tomazinho, in his address, lauded the author for his contribution to
the literature and Dr Susan Deborah delivered a the keynote address giving the
overall view of the book.
The
auther, M A Chacko, originally hails from Kerala. He started as a school
teacher and retired as the Principal of a higher secondary school after a long
teaching career spanning more than three decades. He presently lives in Goa. He
pursues his passion for writing. He is the author of three other books: ‘The
Circus and Other Stories’, ‘How He Met Me and Other Stories’ and ‘Those
Memorable Days’.
