Moments with Muhammad Basheer

The goat was everywhere - nibbling green leaves, looking forlorn, or being pampered like a baby. Vaikom Muhammad Basheer lives on through his works immortalised by many artists in Kerala.

Most of them brought alive the scenes from Basheer’s ‘Pathummayude Aadu.’ C N Karunakaran in his unique technique and style outlined Fatima and her goat. The colour of the goat, the spartan house, the earthen pitcher and her simplicity and innocence are in tune with Basheer’s words.

The autobiographical elements in the novel are rolled on in different hues in K V Krishna Kumar’s murallike frame. Another piece places him on a universal pedestal with the goat down to earth and his easy-chair resting far above. Layered with meaning, most of the works throw light on the greatness of Basheer and his place in Malayalam literature. C R Manmadan captures the character of the goat with the dark-framed spectacles against the backdrop of greenery even as a pen on a blank paper lay on a table.

Full report here New Indian Express

UK author picked for expat award

Noted British author, academic and translator of several Indian vernacular classics Ronald E Asher has been chosen for this year’s Basheer Puraskaram (Basheer Award) instituted by expatriate forum Pravasidoha.
The award has been instituted in memory of legendary Malayalam writer Vaikom Mohamed Basheer.

The 84-year-old Asher, who has translated a number of Malayalam and Tamil classics into English would receive a plaque, citation and a cash award of Rs51,000.

“Asher was considered for the honour in recognition of his contributions to popularise Indian classics to English without compromising on their genuineness, variety and richness,” said the Doha–based forum.

Asher was the dean of International Languages at Britain’s Edinburgh. Since 2001 he has been an honorary fellow at the faculty of arts/school of humanities at the university.

Full report here Gulf Times