When he decided to pull out his novel Meesha (Moustache) from Mathrubhumi Weekly, S. Hareesh had said that he would consider bringing it out as a book only when emotions subsided and society was mature enough to receive it. But, Hareesh has chosen not to wait that long. The novel, which had earned its author the wrath of the ultra right wing, hit the stands on Tuesday.
The novel has come with a three-page preface by Hareesh explaining how he viewed the controversy triggered by the dialogue between two characters (one of them the narrator) in the novel set in the Kuttanad region of half-a-century ago. “(I) had earlier said that the novel will be brought out when emotions subside and society is mature enough to receive it. Though that has not happened, I am indebted to society at large and the democratic government who supported me,” he says.
The novel has been brought out by DC Books.
Autonomous individuals
He goes on to add, almost tongue-in-cheek, “Novels are independent nations with mature citizenship and democratic consciousness. If the characters there remain in the author’s grip, the story ends. Autonomous individuals in life and stories cannot be expected to be consistently logical in their behaviour. I have not come across anyone who is always politically correct and consistent about what they say. We can desire that, but it is impossible,” Hareesh says.
On the controversy, Hareesh says: “I don't feel angry at the protesters now. On the contrary, I feel sad. Moreover, I agree with them. I too register my protest and anger at the absolutely anti-women utterances of these characters. They should have been a little more careful. But, novels being independent nations, there is nothing that the writer can do in the matter.”
Hareesh, a clerk at a village office at Neendoor in the Kuttanad region of Kottayam, says he had approached his characters with respect and fear, particularly his central character, the old man with the moustache.