Kochappan the critic.

Kochappan quoted.

When he wants to drive home, he drives like anybody else, but when he wants to drive home a point, he quotes;that's what he did. we were having dinner in 'The Renaissance' at Kochi . He was at kochi on a holiday.

'' You have been writing for some time now'' he said.'' I have not made any comments about your writing or style of speaking in English till now, have I?.''

''No'' quoth I ; earnestly.

'' First of all please understand that by using high sounding words like 'quoth, loath, or both you won't become a good writer''.

He quoted Eleanor Roosevelt. '' One's philosophy is not best expressed in words, it's expressed in the choices one makes.. . In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves.And the choices we make are our responsibility'. Have you heard this before?''. He asked me.

'' The name sounds familiar but Iam not able to place him exactly'' I replied.He gave me a look like the one Manmohan singh gave to Prakash Karat when the latter went to tell him that his party will not accept the 123 Agreement ; in utter disbelief and desperation. After taking few minutes and two swallows of white wine he asked me '' You know why I quoted those words'' .

''No'' I replied.

'' Like Roosevelt said your writing is not best expressed in words especially in English and the choices of your style is atrocious.''

At the cost of repetition, for your awareness, I should say that we Menons, esp the fragile ones like me, don't like being put down, even by other Menons. I kept a sullen face; like Thilakan when he was told that he is not getting the 'Bharath award for the best actor this year.

Kochappan continued.He does it without much prompting.
'' We were coming from Kottayam to Kochi once and you took a wrong turn somewhere. You stopped the car and asked a pedestrian the way to Main central road to proceed to Kochi. Instead of telling him that you have lost your way and asking the way to M.C.Road do you remember what you spoke to him.?''

'' No'' replied I.

'' This was your talk with him'' he quoted me this time. You beckoned him and said '' To put it to you in short, this man and I started from Kottayam at twilight. Having motored down slowly, we, to our dismay found that darkness has overtaken us, and lost direction.Could you please enlighten us on our present position in relation to M.C.Road which will take us to Kochi, from where if you travel 75 kms you will reach Thrissur which is the place through which you go to Guruvayoor .'' He stopped quoting me and continued.
'' If he were more muscular he would have changed your shape and thereby your destiny also.''

Very rarely does one get reviews from him ; so I listened.

''You claim that you can write copy for advertisements. You are not bad. But there again lack of
skill is evident. You wrote a slogan for that Flying club starting it's operations at Kochi.
' To All Trainee Pilots ! Our new crash course will qualify you for your flying licence in just two months' . Will any body join a pilot training where crash courses are offered.?'' He paused for a moment or so and reflected.

Except from a small location on the surface of his head wherefrom the light reflects a little during a sunny day, he doesn't reflect in the literal sense.
He continued '' You, like most of the Keralites have a feeling that you know everything when you know a little. You try to show off.'' His voice became thick and accusing.

'' When you told me that your building contractor has a habit of telling lies I suggested to you to tell him straight that he is lying. How did you tell him that?.''

'' I told him straight that he has a habit of falling into the error of 'terminological inexactitude'.''

He turned red like Brinda karat on learning about 123 agreement. ''You expect him to refer your words to Ms Rosemary ,HOD, Communicative English, of Rajagiri Institute of Management studies and understand what you meant.''

The lights in the restaurant were being dimmed. Most of the guests had left. Kochappan had the last scoop of the dessert and looked up.I was put down so badly by him that I had difficulty in collecting my fragments from under the table, and the floor, and putting it together to resurrect myself.

''Are you hurt by my comments.?'' he asked me sincerely. I forced a smile but answered equally sincerely.'' No. I want to improve and I will.''

The car carrying him to the airport receded from my vision. I turned into the lane in which I live. Few rain drops fell on me; the first few announcing the arrival of the monsoon.
My friendship with Kochappan is not founded in business but his business of advising me is founded on friendship. I have to go by it.
It's almost three in the morning.

'Three'oclock is too late or too early to start anything you want to do' said Sartre.
I agree with him.
I stretched on the bed. Ran the conversation back and forth until gradually sleep reduced me to nonexistance.

Menon ( aniyan )