Book Review: Waking Up To Dream

Mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain…TS Eliot

Waking Up to Dream by first time author Ruchi Raveendran is a debut book that cannot really be categorised into any genre, fiction, nonfiction, mythology or folklore, autobiographical, memoir or any other.

The book takes a hold on your mind as you read it, and immerses you in a beguiling world of fantasy that draws from real life experiences of the author’s ‘rolling stone gathers no moss’ life. The beautifully designed book published by Of Indian Origin makes a deep dive into the heart of rural India with its uniquely interesting objects like the Aranmula Maya Kannadi’ ‘the only mirror that gives a true reflection’ made in the village of Aranmula, or the play Maricha Rama reminiscent of folk theatre, that is still practised in diverse forms across the country, or the description of stars and constellations and the nitty-gritties of community life that feature in the collection.

The book melds short stories, poems, a play, together with paintings and illustrations, seemingly disparate elements that come together as if of their own accord, effortlessly. Anyone who has lived in or visited a village, watched a jatra, Ramlila or Kathakali performance will find the stories in the book coming alive, and its complex range of characters talking to her.

Take for instance the opening paragraph of the short story Keyese:

No one in the village knew where Keyese came from. The only two syllables he ever uttered were ‘Ke’ and ‘Se’. So with the passage of time, people assumed that name for him…

While growing up in small town India, one does come across such names. In Jharkhand for instance, children were often named after the days they were born like Etwari (Sunday) or Sanichari (Saturday) or Somra (Monday). In the story titled Kumbham, Raveendran writes: The village has everything. That little is well-maintained, neat and refined. They have their own way of life, which is full.

She mentions how everything is shared, there are hardly any wants, food is simple, and for entertainment ‘Kumbham’ scrolls are lit up by lamps placed behind it for story-telling.

Raveendran’s book is like a ‘Kumbham’ scroll unfolding fascinating stories for many who are hemmed into their routines of urban existence, migrants who left their villages in the hope of a better life, only to realise that what slipped out of their hands unbeknowest, was deep and precious, only to be revisited in myths and fables spun and etched by skilful writers like Ruchi Raveendran.

At the book launch in Bengaluru, writer-poet Amrutha Dongray said: When I first read the book, I was awestruck. This book evokes, provokes all the five senses. It is beautiful and magical and it draws you in with so many layers of emotion and food for thought. The author is also a fabulous artist and the book is filled with art that makes the reading experience very sensual. The stories are pristine in their simplicity and profundity…

About the publisher:

Of Indian Origin, founded by Natasha C Acharya, publishes books by Indian authors that delve into art, history, architecture, design, mythology, folklore, fiction and all things Indian.

About the author:

Born on October 29, 1979, Ruchi Raveendran continues to straddle different worlds working as a Theatre Actor, Dancer, Choreographer, Model, Painter, and Yoga Practitioner. Waking up to Dream is her first published work, with many more on the way.