Pigman (പിഗ്‍മാൻ)

It was the writings in a personal diary that I recently happened to read

Nowadays where kindness and affection no longer exist...

...these are the anxious and indecisive

outpourings of conflicts faced by a young man

This was written by one Mr Sreekumar

Given to me by his friend and classmate Philip

This is not a typical diary, nor is it a story

Neither are they memoirs of some son

Sreekumar obviously did not intend to keep it a secret either

He has written quite clearly on the very first page...

...that this is for everyone to read

We can read the entire contents without feeling even a tinge of boredom

I do not know anything about Sreekumar's personal or family matters

But I do understand that an inferiority complex arising...

...out of financial constraints had strongly affected him

I do not know anything else beyond this

In modern times where culture and mother tongue take a back seat

When land, people and nature are vulnerable and thereby exploited...

...it is heartening to see at least small acts of rebellion arising in retaliation

I am not in any way interfering in what he has written here

But would like to say just one point before I stop

I have my own doubts about the beginnings of this narration

ls it actually a story? If not, what else could it be?

They claim this is the age of readers

If that be the case then let me allow you to be the final judge

Moopa, I will ask the kids to tell a few words they learnt in school

Tell me what you once used for the same word in your language

Ask him, children

- Grandmother - Pirapi

- Grass - lllu

- River - Holley

Can you sing a song for us in your own language?

"Flower, not just a flower alone A garland it is of jasmine flowers"

"Hey listen to me my girl"

"Let's get together and play the 'Kolu' game"

"Let's get together and play the 'Kolu' game"

"lf you give me betel leaves my dear I shall give you tobacco to go with it"

"As we toil in fields with plough my flower"

"The Cauvery river flows along singing and dancing"

"As we toil in fields with plough my flower"

"The Cauvery river flows along singing and dancing"

"Let's get together and play the 'Kolu' game"

"Let's get together and play the 'Kolu' game"

"Cooking jack fruit into delicious dishes"

Splendid work

How is it ma'am?

Oh yeah Quite interesting, carry on

Thank you

Ma'am...your phone is ringing

Just a minute

Where are you?

I can't hear you properly

Yeah, tell me

I've told you a thousand times It's just impossible

You know it very well

Chintu and Soju are not interested in keeping in touch with me

I shall call you later

I'm in a meeting

Call from my husband He's going to Texas from Michigan

Let him go, anywhere

Okay Ma'am I'll be going

Where you up to man?

I am terribly lonely

Why can't we get along?

Okay!

Hey! You appear to be carrying the whole library

Sree, next week it's my 'open defence' You must come

okay

Sreekumar, I have to tell you something

Your 'guide' has asked for a re check of vouchers

Why?

Remember, you brought in a few of those tribal people here?

She wants to know why you got them in a taxi

A bus would have been enough

Why did you hire rooms for them

Guest house accommodation would have sufficed

They are also human beings, right?

Foreigners and high officials often come to present papers

There's no issue when they stay in star hotel rooms and get drunk

Lakhs of rupees are spent here for that

Sreekumar, I told you this only because you are close to me

What should I do now?

There is no use getting angry All this is part of this system

Go and pacify madam May be you'll get your work done

Madam, the dress you've selected is excellent

Really fantastic

Where is the necklace from?

From Milan My husband brought it

It matches your saree perfectly

ls it yoga that's keeping you slim?

- So you do practice yoga? - Nothing like that

Hey! How dare you? Don't you have manners?

Can't you knock before coming in?

Ma'am you asked me to come

You didn't come when I called you

What's your topic? Do you still remember it?

It's not connected with tribal dance or music

Yes ma'am

Then what were you doing with those tribals?

Were they brought here for your merry making?

You have completed 4 years as a researcher

But you still don't know discipline of linguistics

This is neither Asan's poetry or Basheer's novel

This is science and the study of any science demands discipline...

...and responsible behavior Understand?

Now get out!

That guy came in at the right moment

That way she didn't read what she signed

Don't take all this seriously You can still submit the thesis, isn't it?

I can, but I don't think madam will co operate

Why? Did you have a clash with her?

No...not a clash But I'm sure she won't

How is dad? ls he feeling better?

No, I promised to take him to hospital when I go there

Da! We have to attend JJ's birthday party this evening

Where is that hard disc?

Hold on It's behind the curtain

ls it enough if he's treated at home?

I've asked the doctor if we possibly can

It's only your dad who'll send a postal letter

My son, hope you are fine How is your studies going on?

Hope its progressing well You know the situation here

We have no clue where your brother-in-law is

Kunjahamed's letter had come They are on the lookout they say

Sreekutty is getting proposals for marriage

I have no idea what to do

We received 2 notices from the bank I want you to come here

Nothing else I am stopping

Love Dad

In short, unable to keep up with the pace of modernity and...

not able to continue with their old usages...

...tribal people are losing their own languages

Like they lost their own way of life with its basic cultural elements

What is this? ls this a lesson on Adivasi language?

Or is it a political essay

The methodology of linguistics has not been used at all in this essay

I had earlier told Sreekumar that his conclusions are hasty and shallow

But he has not bothered

The matters mentioned in chapters 1, 3, and 7 are very illogical

But I congratulate you Mr Sreekumar

If this thesis was for socio linguistics

I won't hesitate to say it's an excellent contribution

Some of his observations on social formation...

...and linguistic crisis is wonderfully brilliant

Great new ideas Of course we all welcome them

But I find it impossible to accept speculations as research findings

This thesis is incomplete

In your work the names of 3 journals are wrong

Year of publications are also not there in two instances

So you should revoke and re submit this thesis after 6 months

I agree with Dr Jayalakshmi

I strongly disagree

Professor is concluding with a premeditated stand

It is undemocratic and inhuman

Don't make this an arena to settle personal scores

It is 4 years of hard work that madam has scorned and discarded

What did she say to that?

What can they say?

Scholarship will not be continued

Bureaucracy is the same everywhere

Hey! You didn't serve me

Mess fee has not been paid So food is cut

Higher up have ordered

That is not fair

Go ask the higher ups

You are insulting him

If order comes from the top What do we do?

Who are these higher ups?

Hey leave it

No dude, this can't be left like this

Don't create an issue Have your dinner, I'll wait outside

Son?

Please forgive us my son We can only follow orders

It's okay Bhasi chetta

You are like my own children

I can do this for you Come to my room later on

No, that's not necessary Bhasi' chetta

Put an end to Jayalakshmi's dictatorship

We demand justice for Sreekumar

Partiality be condemned

Justice be given to Sreekumar

Corrupt members of senate be sent out

We demand justice for Sreekumar

Put an end to Jayalakshmi's dictatorship

We demand justice for Sreekumar

Put an end to Jayalakshmi's dictatorship

We demand justice for Sreekumar

Corrupt members of senate be sent out

Partiality be condemned

No, it's because I am fed up

I am going to end everything

Sree, what are you saying? Everything will turn alright

I don't think it will

Don't be stressed

You come here, We'll find a job for you

Don't think too much Just come here

Okay I'll call you later

Sree! There's bad news for you

There's a notice saying you are under suspension

The reason stated is for attacking Dr Jayalakshmi