Have you heard of SHINRIN YOKU? It’s a Japanese practice of relaxation, wherein one walks through a forest, breathing deeply and observing nature. It is also known as forest bathing.
I felt the same when I read Valli. I just did Shinrin Yoku. Its rich description of the Wayanad forest, its animals, its birds, its herbs, its trees, the gushing river, and the mountains are simply mesmerising and make you feel like you have been there.
I wouldn’t say that Valli is the story of the people living near the forest. I felt as though the forest was narrating its story and the author was the medium through which its voice could be heard. The author has revealed her deep love for the rich flora and fauna. Kerala with its lush greenery is always breathtaking and the book takes you deep into those dense green forests.
It begins with the tale of a devadasi Unniyachi. I found the tale very magical and moving. I would have loved to know a little more about her. I also enjoyed a few historical anecdotes.
The books by Gabriel Garcia Marquez are frequently mentioned. One hundred years of solitude spans seven generations and Valli spans four. We see a lot of changes happening across these four generations, both political and structural. The story moves in various directions. It not only covers myths, traditions, and religions but stories of the FOREST too.
The forest is home to millions of living animals, birds, and insects, and is resplendent with herbs and people deface it for their selfish motives. Through the story, the author brilliantly warns us of the catastrophic repercussions of human greed.
Some parts were very distressing as we saw many people being killed because of their opposition to changes. A major part of the book portrays the ill effects of urbanization, deforestation, the cruelty behind poaching, the damage to the environment and much more.
She also talks about how certain old languages of indigenous Adivasis (tribals) vanish. It often happens when people become multilingual and they lose proficiency in their mother tongue.
The language is easy, the writing is lyrical, and the story is partly epistolary, but the diverse characters, the nonlinear prose and the length make it a tad difficult to read. The book was shortlisted for the JCB prize 2022 and I would say it rightly deserved it.
I read it with our bookclub members and I thank them for reading-along this gem of a book!