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A review by srivalli
మిథునం [Midhunam] by Sri Ramana
5.0
Disclaimer: I picked this book for the reading prompt- a book set in your hometown.
Though my mother tongue is Telugu, I haven’t read as many works as should I have. However, I grew up listening to many of them as my father narrated the stories (yeah, my own version of an audiobook).
Mithunam is no different, except that my mom did the honors. I can read the book myself, but hey, it’s a special feeling when parents do it. The book has a total of eight stories, the last of which is the book’s title, and was made into an equally heart-touching movie. Of course, the story was tweaked a bit, but you’ve got to watch this movie.
Midhunam Movie
The first story in the book is Aarati puvvu Samuloru (Banana Flower Swamiji). It’s a parody and satire on gullible folk, con men, politicians, and media. Lighthearted and fun to read.
The second story is Tene lo Cheema (Ant in the Honey), a metaphor used to show how a person provided with privileges (sweet honey) doesn’t necessarily get to enjoy them, nor can they escape from the situation (sticky honey).
The story is about how a poor farmer suffers because of ego clashes between the two rich men, who are incidentally related to each other. The story has a slightly sarcastic tone, but we see glimpses of emotional outbursts to emphasize the irony of the situation and the helplessness of the poor farmer. The emotional bits are let go with the leash on so that nothing becomes dramatic or overwhelming. Brilliant!
The third story is Varalamma Baavi (Varalamma is a person, literally translates to a woman/ mother who blesses or gives boons, and Baavi is a well). It’s a story based on Hindu Muslim communities living in the same village and how an old healer is loved by them all. Differences that arise are sorted on their own when something major happens and shifts focus.
Set in two periods (50 years apart from each other), it shows how the bond has always been fragile. What stayed with me was the narrator’s surprise to see the women previously free dressed in a burqa when the world had advanced forward by 50 years.
The fourth story is Dhana Lakshmi (the name of a Goddess (signifies money) and is commonly used to name girls). This one is about a young enterprising woman who was forced to put an end to her education during her third class. Her brain is a marvel, and the way she builds the family’s wealth through hard and smart work is top class. I’m told this story was used in the IIMs to explain the importance of noticing and grabbing opportunities to become successful. Life hasn’t been easy for her being the wife of an average guy with a huge ego, but she keeps her home and business thriving.
The fifth story is Soda Naidu. It’s about a boy who shadows the soda seller in his village because he wants the blue marble fixed in the neck of the soda bottle. In fact, the drink is aerated water and called goli (marble) soda. It’s a lighthearted story that leaves us with a sense of peace and happiness as it ends.
The soda bottles look like this:
The sixth is Bangaaru Murugulu (Gold Bracelets) and one of my favorite stories from the book. It’s about a widowed grandmother’s love for her only grandson. Murugulu are wrist bands that look like a combination of bangles and bracelets. It is a heartwarming story, so warm that you’ll want to hug your granny or mom and never let them go ever again.
Set in native Andhra village like every other story, it’s a delight to read and imagine the land so full of such ordinary yet beautiful people. The story also tackles a couple of social subjects, albeit in grandma’s kickass style. That’s one lady ahead of her time.
The seventh is titled Pelli (Marriage) and is a perfect satire about the corruption and under-the-table dealings rampant among government employees and politicians. The backdrop is the wedding of a govt. executive and the story aims to show the true faces of these people with loads of humor and sarcasm.
The eighth is the title story, Midhunam (Gemini), aptly described as the relationship between two people. The cover picture shows an old couple recreated in the ardha-naareswara style, represented by Shiva and Parvati.
Picture reference below:
It’s not surprising that this one has been made into a movie. It’s a love story that’s not a love story. When you first start reading, you’ll wonder how a couple can be so snarky and how much they dislike each other. As you read, you’ll realize the unspoken love and affection between them. The story will make you teary-eyed and leave you with a multitude of emotions. Who wouldn’t want a relationship like that! The relationship is not perfect; it doesn't need to be. It's real, and that matters more.
To sum up, Midhunam has been a delightful experience, and I can see why my father has read the book multiple times and can narrate the stories from memory.
Though my mother tongue is Telugu, I haven’t read as many works as should I have. However, I grew up listening to many of them as my father narrated the stories (yeah, my own version of an audiobook).
Mithunam is no different, except that my mom did the honors. I can read the book myself, but hey, it’s a special feeling when parents do it. The book has a total of eight stories, the last of which is the book’s title, and was made into an equally heart-touching movie. Of course, the story was tweaked a bit, but you’ve got to watch this movie.
Midhunam Movie
The first story in the book is Aarati puvvu Samuloru (Banana Flower Swamiji). It’s a parody and satire on gullible folk, con men, politicians, and media. Lighthearted and fun to read.
The second story is Tene lo Cheema (Ant in the Honey), a metaphor used to show how a person provided with privileges (sweet honey) doesn’t necessarily get to enjoy them, nor can they escape from the situation (sticky honey).
The story is about how a poor farmer suffers because of ego clashes between the two rich men, who are incidentally related to each other. The story has a slightly sarcastic tone, but we see glimpses of emotional outbursts to emphasize the irony of the situation and the helplessness of the poor farmer. The emotional bits are let go with the leash on so that nothing becomes dramatic or overwhelming. Brilliant!
The third story is Varalamma Baavi (Varalamma is a person, literally translates to a woman/ mother who blesses or gives boons, and Baavi is a well). It’s a story based on Hindu Muslim communities living in the same village and how an old healer is loved by them all. Differences that arise are sorted on their own when something major happens and shifts focus.
Set in two periods (50 years apart from each other), it shows how the bond has always been fragile. What stayed with me was the narrator’s surprise to see the women previously free dressed in a burqa when the world had advanced forward by 50 years.
The fourth story is Dhana Lakshmi (the name of a Goddess (signifies money) and is commonly used to name girls). This one is about a young enterprising woman who was forced to put an end to her education during her third class. Her brain is a marvel, and the way she builds the family’s wealth through hard and smart work is top class. I’m told this story was used in the IIMs to explain the importance of noticing and grabbing opportunities to become successful. Life hasn’t been easy for her being the wife of an average guy with a huge ego, but she keeps her home and business thriving.
The fifth story is Soda Naidu. It’s about a boy who shadows the soda seller in his village because he wants the blue marble fixed in the neck of the soda bottle. In fact, the drink is aerated water and called goli (marble) soda. It’s a lighthearted story that leaves us with a sense of peace and happiness as it ends.
The soda bottles look like this:
The sixth is Bangaaru Murugulu (Gold Bracelets) and one of my favorite stories from the book. It’s about a widowed grandmother’s love for her only grandson. Murugulu are wrist bands that look like a combination of bangles and bracelets. It is a heartwarming story, so warm that you’ll want to hug your granny or mom and never let them go ever again.
Set in native Andhra village like every other story, it’s a delight to read and imagine the land so full of such ordinary yet beautiful people. The story also tackles a couple of social subjects, albeit in grandma’s kickass style. That’s one lady ahead of her time.
The seventh is titled Pelli (Marriage) and is a perfect satire about the corruption and under-the-table dealings rampant among government employees and politicians. The backdrop is the wedding of a govt. executive and the story aims to show the true faces of these people with loads of humor and sarcasm.
The eighth is the title story, Midhunam (Gemini), aptly described as the relationship between two people. The cover picture shows an old couple recreated in the ardha-naareswara style, represented by Shiva and Parvati.
Picture reference below:
It’s not surprising that this one has been made into a movie. It’s a love story that’s not a love story. When you first start reading, you’ll wonder how a couple can be so snarky and how much they dislike each other. As you read, you’ll realize the unspoken love and affection between them. The story will make you teary-eyed and leave you with a multitude of emotions. Who wouldn’t want a relationship like that! The relationship is not perfect; it doesn't need to be. It's real, and that matters more.
To sum up, Midhunam has been a delightful experience, and I can see why my father has read the book multiple times and can narrate the stories from memory.