Chapter 3: chapter 3

ForewordMy memories of Secunderabad go back to the early eighties where I had stayed for a fortnight twice. When time permitted between my academic works in libraries we visited historical monuments like Charminar and Golconda Fort and Salar Jung museum. Otherwise I was confined to the libraries of Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages (now EFLU) and The American Study and Research Centre. The vast campuses of CIEFL and the Osmania University which lay on our way to ASRC were very impressive. I also recall our visit to a house in a ‘dusty’ street in the thickly populated Old Hyderabad where we were treated to Hyderabadi biriyani.But none of these do you find mentioned in Oh, Hyderabad of Subrabharathi Manian. It revolves round parks where literary meetings were held; it portrays the squalor and poverty the common man endures; it delineates characters the author encountered in minute details. The pen pictures of these men and women stir up varied reactions in you when they are accompanied by a brief sketch of their background. There are prominently literary giants like Na. Pa. and Asokamitran casually mentioned as if they were part of the author’s daily life.Do you get any picture of the author? Yes, of course. His passion for the mission of taking contemporary literature to the few Tamil readers present in the twin cities, his persistent efforts to conduct book festivals against all odds and the emotional reactions arising out of domestic quarrels are expressed in a lively, sometimes touching, manner.One wonders how the author had remained in that dusty place for so long. The word ‘dusty’ occurs often in the narratives but used with a sense of humour. The Fever Hospital area where his office was situated, the place where he resided, the parks where his meetings were held are vividly portrayed. His adventurous attempts to enter the vineyard of an important political leader from Tamil Nadu (you know who) are hilariously narrated.The pen pictures of his friends like Velayutham, the Fan Club companions and the pavement book seller, Prakash of Osmania General Hospital are unforgettable.Oh, Hyderabad invites you to a feast of a variety of narratives and you can never miss the personality of Subrabarathi Manian unobtrusively peeping over your shoulders.S. Vincent