Pushpo ané Patangiyan by Ratan R. Marshall, Published in 2006 by Gurjar Grantha Ratna Karyalaya, Opp Ratanpolnaka, Gandhi Road, Ahmedabad, 380001. Pp: 12+140. Price: Rs 70.
Pushpo ané Patangiyan by Ratan R. Marshall, Published in 2006 by Gurjar Grantha Ratna Karyalaya, Opp Ratanpolnaka, Gandhi Road, Ahmedabad, 380001. Pp: 12+140. Price: Rs 70.
After his last grave illness a year ago, Dr Ratan Marshall’s son brought him from Surat to Ahmedabad to stay with him for good. He was expected to recuperate but he opted to utilize his precious rest period in literary pursuits. He wrote his latest book and named it Pushpo ané Pantangia (Flowers and Butterflies).This title was quite appropriate for two reasons: He finished this book on a garden lawn surrounded by flower beds and the other reason was the variety of colorful subjects that he has culled out from life itself, filling them with wit and humor.
Ratan Marshall
Ninety-three-year-old Marshall is a scholar of great repute. To his credit are more than 15 volumes in Gujarati language. His vast contribution in the fields of education, literature, cultural history and research in the field of Gujarati drama and journalism are highly commendable. Besides being a good orator he adorns various positions in literary societies, took back-stage part in dramas and pantomimes and worked as an important office bearer on school, college and university boards in Gujarat. He has acquired degrees throughout his life. The last one added to his long list of BA, PhD, DLitt (honoris causa) was LLB which he acquired at the ripe old age of 91. Whilst devoting himself to literary and cultural activities, he has also dedicated his service to the Surat Parsi Panchayat as its secretary and later, as its special executive officer.
His latest book includes an essay entitled "Parsi Vasati (Population)” which discusses in a refined manner why Parsis are not increasing in numbers for so many years! He cites the example of Haji Abdul Aziz who died at the ripe old age of 105 leaving behind him 11 sons and daughters plus a retinue of 264 grand and great-grandchildren. He wanted to prove a point that to increase the strength of a family, no series of lectures and articles are required! Sex is the inherent instinct that has been working in every human being like the instinct for food. Parsi youth must be made to understand this fact by the priests of the community.
Another topic relates to the treatment to be meted out to the senior-most member of the family in a chapter named "Nanabhai is now ninety.” Marshall’s deep thinking on this subject is seen imprinted in mature words of wisdom.
English is an essential language for
everyone today; but that does not give one the freedom to discard the mother tongue as well as the language of the region, conveys the author in a chapter discussing "Is English a foreign language or the language of the Aryan group?”
In "Master of Culture (Sanskarswami),” his humility comes to the fore when he mentions that he was called "Sanskarswami” by others when he felt he did not deserve the title. The main character in each narration is the author himself. This subjective approach makes the book autobiographical.
In the chapter "Saundarya Spardha (Beauty Contest)” he compares the beauty of the young girls of Mexico, Israel, Egypt and Venezuela. These are all the colorful butterflies of his imagination. The chapter on "Surakshakavach (zero security)” enjoyed by the leaders of today is an excellent essay revealing his sarcastic humor when he slashes the modern leaders who are in the habit of practicing tardiness under the cover of "suraksha.”
Available at a low price of Rs 70, this book must be in all personal, public, school, college and university libraries.
Bejon N. Desai