His book ‘Onam in a Nighty, Stories from a Kerala Quarantine’ chronicles his encounters with people and places during the lockdown in 2020.
His book ‘Onam in a Nighty, Stories from a Kerala Quarantine’ chronicles his encounters with people and places during the lockdown in 2020.
The room that kept Anjana Menon in touch with the world gave the media person and writer a different perspective of looking at nature and its surroundings. Quarantined at her parents’ home during the lockdown in Kerala in 2020, it was the normalcy of everyday life that turned extraordinary for Anjana.
At his home in Thrissur, he watched the two worlds merge, an old way of life slowly, and, mostly gracefully, giving way to a new, fast but still caring community.
portrait of lockdown
When Anjana found herself confined to the first floor of the house, strangers became friends and ordinary activities like a walk in the garden became luxuries. A blog that he began writing during this period evolved into a book. Onam in a Nighty,Stories from a Kerala Quarantine, (HarperCollins) Full of lively anecdotes and thoughtful commentary about life in a small town and its people, a modern Malgudi.
The authors write in an email, that the enduring image of the quarantine would be the resilience of the human spirit in spite of difficulties.
The title of the book came after Anjana went to visit her relatives for Onam in her traditional attire and found them walking around in ‘nighties’.
The cover of the book ‘Onam in a Nighty, Stories from a Kerala Quarantine’. photo credit: special arrangement
“Both Onam and Nightie are a part of Kerala psyche. The title sets the tone for the book, which is light and humorous.”
The practical business journalist is not too indifferent about the traditional clothing of Kerala, which almost disappears from the daily wear of many Malayalee women. She feels that “perhaps, the advantage is that the nightie is a functional single-piece garment that you can easily slip on, wash, dry, and wear. Plus its shapelessness gives it a certain modesty.” which attracts many women. It is a garment of convenience. Of course, it lacks the elegance of a sari or Mundu Vesti,
She recounts in great detail the summer vacations she spent with her grandparents in Thrissur and the adventures they had in their village visits, which included catching tadpoles and watching her grandmother interact with the workers. “I am a hopelessly apathetic creature when it comes to Thrissur. I like it the way it is!” she says, writing about Swaraj Circle, the popular restaurant, Thrissur Pooram and Vadakkunathan Temple.
humor and practicality
Onam in one night… It acknowledges the changes taking place in society, which is evident even in villages with humor and pragmatism. For example, migrant laborers who have become part of the Kerala landscape have as many homes in the state as they do in their own villages. Anjana said: “The human condition of migration is about finding better prospects for oneself and securing a more prosperous life for one’s family.”
He feels that as Keralites are looking for better opportunities abroad, people coming from other states are filling the gap. “Some of the most vibrant places in the world, whether it is New York or London, are full of immigrants who have contributed greatly to their appeal and prosperity. As an optimist, I can only hope that the result will be the same for Kerala.
Unlike many non-resident Malayalees, who often lament the lack of anonymity in smaller towns, Anjana insists that even places like Thrissur can fly under the radar, unless there is a celebrity. “Basically, wherever we are, we belong to groups and communities and once we break out of that circle, we become anonymous.”
For readers living in Kerala, Anjana’s book holds a mirror to the people and places that are often missed by the residents. At times, it seems that she remembers the warts the locals lament about. Nevertheless, Anjana says that her experience during her seven-month stay in Kerala was pleasant and therefore her book is an honest story.
“That said, people, places, situations, all have many shades. Kerala also has its drawbacks and I have caught some of it through my glasses, whether it is on a gray state, alcohol, or government jobs and pensions. Be about excessive dependence.”
Her parents, she says, love the book. “They were overjoyed to read heartwarming stories that often go unheard in a small town.”
According to her, the book has what it takes to be embodied – “small gestures of kindness, community spirit, resilience and happy memories. These are the things that often keep us moving, and it’s important to chronicle them.”
She says that as a writer she had to stay true to her narrative style and tone. “Too often, we get so caught up in what’s broken that we forget to celebrate the work we’re doing.”
At the end of the lockdown, Anjana, who had not lived in Kerala for more than a month before the lockdown, says she finally felt that she “belongs” and feels at home in Kerala.
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