Posts
I write this thinking of the pain I experience when I travel around Central Travancore/Kerala where thatched houses have given way to palatial buildings that display splendour and pomp. Yet, many are empty or have one or two occupants who are aged and ailing. They hope their children would come or return to take care of them. The children are away busy, looking after their own interests. Fact is, the palatial buildings were built by the children to enable their parents reside in houses with all modern facilities. Fact is, the parents are no longer in a position to enjoy the rich life due to failing health. There is no one to talk to them or listen to them.
Author Alex Haley is well known for his historical fiction ROOTS.
He has authored another historical fiction QUEEN with David Stevens published in 1993
I think QUEEN is a reflection of what is happening in our neighbourhood especially in Central Travancore.
We observe an irish immigrant to America putting up a palatial home in the woods.
The house was vibrant.
,As time wore on, the occupants left the house in search of greener pastures one by one.
Then we find the house in ruins with the wilderness reclaiming its lost space.
The significance here is, people build their beautiful houses. But the succeeding generations are not going to stay there.
The houses stand there in ruins on a later date as a symbol of lost glory.
Acquisition of wealth is essential upto a limit for survival. Beyond that it is senseless
Ostentatious display of wealth takes us nowhere.
No comments:
Post a Comment