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A chance encounter between C.K
Sujith Kumar and Gopinath Parayil (Gopi) literally on river
bed of Bharatapuzha (River Nila) in Kuttippuram, five years
ago became the tipping point for this study. On a stroll
through the famous sandbanks of the river with friends, Gopi
came across a group of people who had gathered together
because of the pain they felt at seeing the once beautiful
river breathing its last. They were singing, reciting poems,
discussing the past and future. There were teachers,
students, poets, environmental engineers, artists and
musicians among them. There was a nostalgia about the river,
its influence in their lives. There was so much of romance
about the whole gathering. The emptiness in their life was
so visible in their eyes and amongst them were Sujith Kumar,
who threw the idea of study on Nila. When Gopi mentioned
that he had already decided to spent the next five years for
the river, Sujith responded, 'You know, there are many
people around here who are ready to spent their whole life
for such rivers!'. Sujith was one amongst them.
Gopi had just set up The Blue Yonder, a pioneering
responsible travel company to bring attention of the world
to River Nila and help raise funds for initiatives similar
to this book. Though we took quite a long time to publish
this book, we are glad that we took that much time as we
managed to explore other parts of Kerala as well for the
study and got insights in a way we would never have had
received. We have gone through all, while working on this
book. From financial crisis to writers block!
However, we are happy to introduce you to Puzha Malayalam.
"Puzha
Malayalam is an exploration of Kerala and her rivers; a
journey that begins with Kerala’s cultural history and wends
its way to the environmental degradation of the State. It is
a book that illustrates how rivers are a part and parcel of
the Malayalee way of life. A book that reminds us that the
death of a river is the death of Kerala itself and that the
only way to protect life is by protecting rivers. A book
that offers glimpses of hope, even as it underlines the
burning realties of environmental degradation in the State.
Written in the language of love, this is a book for every
Malayalee who cherishes rivers."
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