The book titled Athmahatya Jeevitham Kondu Murivettavante Vakku was released on 26th July 2004 by noted writer and critic Prof M.N Vijayan at a function held at Mahakavi G Auditorium in Ernakulam. Veteran journalist K.M Roy presided over the function. Kavitha Balakrishnan, painter and critic introduced the book. Poets Viji Thampi and Prabha Verma delivered felicitation speeches. Sajeesh welcomed the gathering and I proposed the vote of thanks. One of the reasons we wrote the book was to bring before the eyes of Keralites the fact that creative people are more vulnerable to depression and suicide. Looked at from the international perspective, suicide rates in Kerala are higher than in many other parts of the world. Being a state in distress, Kerala is struggling with the ethical questions surrounding the subject.The book is an attempt to bring together life sketches of noted literary figures, painters and artistes who took their lives. Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath, Vincent Vangogh, Hemingway, Mishima, Kawabata, Mayakovsky, Hitler, Edappally Raghavan Pillai, T Guhan, Rajalakshmi, Nandanar, Krishnakumar, Shelvy, Nandita, SubrahmanyaDas, Sanildas, T P Kishor, Silk Smitha ...etc.It also provides a background survey of literary, philosophical, psychological, and sociological responses to suicide as a phenomenon. Here you can read the translated and abridged version of the article The Myth of Sysiphus by Albert Camus.More research is needed to examine the link between creativity and suicide. I think this book will be helpful for further research in this field.Compiled and Edited by M.A Shanavas &N P SajeeshForeword by Maythil Radhakrishnan Pages: 290/Price :Rs. 200Pranatha Books, Kochi, Kerala 682 018
Phone: 0484-2390179 Mobile: 9447194038
Unmadam
Oormayeyum Maraviyeyum kurichoru Pusthakam
The book titled Unmadam was released by noted Poet A.Ayyappan at a function held at Mahakavi G Auditorium in Ernakulam. Veteran Schola and famous poet. V.G Thampi, K.P. Ramanunni and artist sheriff delivered felicitation speeches. Pranath Shaji welcomed the gathering and I proposed the vote of thanks. .Compiled and Edited by M.A Shanavas &N P Sajeesh Foreword by Charu Niveditha
Linking insanity and talent (review of my second book 'Unmadam') / Anand Haridas
The Hindu dated Jul 8th That creative talent remains on the edges of insanity is no new information. Eccentricity had been the mark of genius. Now, a book has appeared in Malayalam, delineating this link.Unmadam (Insanity), published by Kochi-based Pranatha Books, follows a collection of essays and creative works on suicide. While the publisher preferred to call the book on suicide as "a word from someone injured with life," they called the book on insanity as "a book of memory and oblivion."The book begins with the traditional premise of contrasting Apollonian reasoning with Dionysian realm of unreason. "Both these books belong to the same category, in the sense, they are about those who remain outside the mainstream of life. Suicide, in a physical sense, and insanity, in a psychological one, are outlets to escape from the problems posted by life," said M.A. Shanavas, who along with N.P. Sajeesh, has edited and collected these works.There are four broad sections in the book. The lengthy, first segment is biographical sketches of celebrities who exhibited traits of eccentricities, or even insanity. The list is long, from those like Salvador Dali, who celebrated his eccentricity, to Vaikom Mohammed Basheer, who was pained by his digressions to realms of madness."Even though we have heard glorified versions about eccentricities of celebrities, rarely is personal angst of remaining outside mainstream discussed. That was one reason why we wanted to talk to those who were close to Basheer," said Mr. Shanavas.Interestingly, some of the personalities featured in the book on suicide appear in the new edition also — like Ernest Hemingway, Yukio Mishima, Vincent Van Gogh and Sylvia Plath.The second and third segments in the book are memoirs about insanity. First, there are autobiographical sketches, at times attaining confessional overtones, by writers like K.P. Ramanunni, Subhash Chandran and Lohitadas. Then come articles remembering personalities who succumbed to their eccentricities. This includes John Abraham, Surasu, and `Navab' Rajendran. The last segment is a collection of articles depicting insanity and literary works on this theme. Even though Ajay P. Mangad titled his article as "Insane comes out in night from tombs of civilisation," the book does not really rises above a collection of memoirs and literary works. Only the last three essays, including the one by Rajan Gurukkal and an overview of Michel Foucault's Madness and Civilisation, analyse the philosophy of insanity. Rs.200/ Pages 300..Published by Pranatha BooksKochi, Kerala 682 018Phone: 0484-2390179 Mobile: 9447194038
1975 / Adiyanthiravasthayude ormapushthakam
The book titled1975, Adiyanthiravasthayude ormapushthakam was released on 11th April 2006 by noted revolutionary activist Mundoor Ravunni at a function held at Press Club, Calicut. Veteran journalist O.Abdurahman (Editor, Madhyamam Daily) presided over the function. Abraham Benher the victim of indian emergency introduced the book. Faizal K.P welcomed the gathering and I proposed the vote of thanks.I think this book will be helpful for further research in this field. Compiled and Edited by M.A ShanavasForeword by Mundoor RavunniPages: 312/Price :Rs. 200Pranatha Books, Kochi, Kerala 682 018Phone: 0484-2390179 Mobile: 9447194038
