KOCHI: Each person scripts a story and so does Molly as she challenges every crossroad she confronts in the novel ‘Harvest of Ecstasy’ by Mathew Attookaran, a scientist based in Kochi. The book takes you to an era when life moved at its own pace, from the days before Independence to the 80s when time was not as exploited by technology as it is today.
As the reader walks with Thomachan and his beloved wife Mariam through the 500-acre Kollegal estate in Puthupady, a hamlet in northern Kerala, the chemistry and reactions of the laborious steps in processing plantation crops such as rubber, pepper, chilly tea, coffee, coconut and arecanut unfurl. The wealth of knowledge on extraction of oils and oleoresin from crops is based on Mathew’s decades-long experiments and experiences as a scientist and his work in plantations and oil firms. “I have utilised my knowledge of spices, of plantation products and popular aspects of its processing. Way back I conceived a story on exchange of estates. This clubbed with my scientific papers spiced with human elements and humour led to the novel. I am a fan of Arthur Hailey,” he said.
The story revolves around Thomachan. His parents Mathukutty and Annamma inherit the estate from their heirless English boss, James Meadows. On realising that their children preferred to venture out to foreign lands to make a mark on their own, they tactfully marry off their youngest son Thomachan to Mariam. Life moves on as per their calculations and Mariam becomes a daughter in the Kollegal family, but tragedy strikes when she dies during childbirth depriving her son Pappachan of much needed motherly love and of course paternal presence, as Thomachan, heartbroken, finds solace in the responsibilities of the plantation. Those were the days when medical facilities were rudimentary.
Molly, the endearing daughter of Peter and Elizabeth, the loving brother of George and a pet grandchild enters the Kollegal estate through her marriage to Pappachan and enlivens the place despite Pappachan’s distance towards her and the estate - a great worry for Thomachan. Disappointed with his son’s apathy, he appoints an agriculture expert Vasudeven as his manager. Molly, a keen learner absorbs all about estate life from Thomachan and her manager. Unfortunately, her dreams of doing MSc Botany after degree were clipped by her mother for whom ambitions of girls were limited to marriage.
Thomachan is always grateful to Vasudevan. After Vasudevan organises Pappachan’s wedding reception in classic style, he says, “I appreciate your modesty. Some day God will reward you. You are my son.”
One recollects many an event in the history of Kerala and the world from the discussions of the men in the book -- sports, Tennis’s Bjorn Borg, how Gulf remittances paved the way for spice oil factories in Koch, ex American president Reagan ---giving a sense of time. The characters reveal the traditions and way of life of Syrian Catholic Keralites, with Pappachan having scant regard for them.
When Thomachan falls sick he becomes closer to Vasudeven who runs the estate and reaps profits and his dutiful and beloved daughter-in-law who runs the home efficiently ever since Annamma dies.
He is shocked to learn about Pappachan’s extra-marital affair and tries to make life easy for Molly. When Thomachan dies, he bequeaths the estate to Molly, convinced of her ability to run it efficiently with the help of Vasudevan, much to the shock of his siblings and relatives. As we turn the pages, Pappachan meets with his end mysteriously. Molly born and bred amidst love is a stark contrast to Pappachan who sans a role model eventually goes astray. Mathew is of the opinion that widowers should marry again for children’s sake. “Life is for the living and not dead, life should move on,” said Mathew.
A slow attraction develops between Vasudeven and Molly without their knowledge. Molly who becomes very lonely decides to leave the estate to Vasudevan and return home and makes a will to this effect, but Vasudevan offers her his hand in marriage instead.
Published by Niyogi books, ‘Harvest of Ecstasy’ makes easy reading with its simple style, diction and treatment. Cost: Rs 295.