READING "VEELUNAMA" AFTER 25 YEARS

I have read Gopichand’s “Pandita Parameswara sastry Veelunama’ second time after more than two decades. In the first reading I was impressed by his tender feelings, the role of a writer , Aurobindian philosophy integrated in his novel. At that time I used to smile at the way Gopichand exposed the hypocrisy embedded in some lesser breed of writers who suffered from mental pollution and derived pervert joy in dragging real writers to their level. When I was under the dominant influence of rationalism and materialism, I could not appreciate the novel totally. Now when I am able to strive after the integration of materialistic and realistic perspectives in the manner of Gopichand , I understand the eminent efforts and genius displayed by him in not only finding a path for him but also in helping the next generation cultivate open- mindedness and the desire to seek perfection in the evolution of life and literature .

In the novel, Keshava murthy suffers from his ‘friends’ who spread scandals against him out of jealousy. Iago in Shakeapeare’s Othello could not tolerate beauty in the life and finds daily ugliness in it out of jealousy. Seemantam is such a character who interferes in the life of a genius writer and tries to defame him . He spreads scandals against him , writers letters to Sujata, Keshava Murthy’s wife, incognito casting aspersion on his character as he could not win the love of Sujata earlier.
Gopi Chand exposes others who want to thrive on blackmailing in the name of running journals. Krishna murthy who gets benefited by Keshava murthy resents his success and demands favours , criticizes unjustly , deviates from the right path and suffers macabre death. Keshava murthy sheds tears over this and for his inability to help this errant fellow. The characters of Subhashini and Kanyakamani portray their genuine love and respect towards Keshava murthy whose writings they admire.
Parameswara Sastry who has raised Sujata, an “orphan’ ( his daughter in reality) has no love for modern trends in literature. he breaks with his daughter when she marries Keshava murthy against his will and refuses to see her. When he falls ill, Sujata takes her son to him and a sort of reconciliation takes place. The conspiracy of Seemantam and others to make Parmeswara Sastry give away his property for a college which they want to run fail. Sastry in his testament writes his property to Keshava murthy and admits hoe he has tried to tread modern path in writing in vain in the manner of Keshva Sastry.
The novel also relates Aurobindian idea that man can become superman in evolution when he give up his comfort zone and strives to integrate materialistic and idealistic perspectives and goes beyond mind.. A writer has to think originally , create a cosmos in the inside of his self , transform experiences of his own and of others in to characters. The adoption of multiple perspectives in story telling would help in achieving more authenticity of life.

He is indeed a masterful writer of insight, reason, observation of human motives, behaviour whose works continue to be seen as releant and redeeming for decades to come. He is an immortal writer.