Today being Grandparent's Day (July 23), Dubai-based author Purva
Grover shares how she has explored the beautiful bond between grandparents and
grandchildren in her book, The Trees Told Me So. The book is the labour of love
of journalist, author, poetess, playwright, stage director, TED X speaker, and
creative entrepreneur, who believes in the power of stories, “Many of us grew
up listening to bedtime stories. Our parents and grandparents would read out
stories to us and tuck us into bed! However, the tradition of storytelling is
slowly vanishing. Let's revive the best and oldest form of education. It is a
great tool to pass down cultures and traditions to future generations."
She has also authored two other books; She & It was the year 2020.
In The Trees Told Me So, a story, A Summer Ritual, revolves around the
relationship between a granddaughter and her grandparents over a simple summer
ritual of visiting them every summer. “To remember, realise and value the
meaning of the word family. A bunch of individuals in different age groups and
with different temperaments who spend their lives under one roof, acknowledging
and overlooking each other’s limitations, and applauding the goodness. To
understand that as a family, we are meant to forget and forgive, and blossom
together; irrespective of our egos, ambitions, differences, challenges, dreams,
and insecurities,” says Purva is the message of the story.
“Summer was special; the time we'd all gather at their home. And there
was always space for everyone: two Aunts, two Uncles, Mum, Dad and six
grandchildren. I spent 18 ‘full’ summers with Granny, Grandpa and the mango
tree. And while everything around us changed, we stuck to this one routine. It
was a simple routine; a ritual that involved booking train (later, flight)
tickets, packing bags and spending a few weeks in their home. None of us ever
spoke of the worth of its existence or the consequences if it were to be
discontinued. There was no need to discuss the ‘usual.”
Purva says, “If trees could talk, they’d have so much to tell: The
story of two broken hearts, that stolen first kiss, those last words of a
mother to her son, endless cups of tea and never-ending chatter, of nostalgia,
an act of brutality and a tale of passion. In this collection of short stories,
The Trees Told Me So, Purva Grover draws a beautiful and poignant picture of
love, life and loss, with an honest voice. And the common thread running
through the stories is that nature (Read: A tree) stands witness like an old
soul—full of wisdom and compassion. A silent observer, a keeper of secrets, yet
the tree is always an integral part of the character’s very being.”
“Why did the trees speak to me? Why did characters whose lives had been
touched by the trees decide to confide in me? I am yet to know. Could it be
because I promised to listen closely? I took notes of thoughts that came and
vanished. I scribbled down memories that I wished we cherished. I was patient
when I met up with people who ached to share. I dealt with questions that made
me uncomfortable. I let the sceneries, objects, and situations inspire me. I
expressed joy, love, anxiety, disappointment, anger, happiness, and pain.
Together, we weaved these 11 tales. Of faith, funeral; of dads, dreams; of
growth, greed; of sins, secrets; of chai, confessions; of relationships,
reflections; of lives, loves, and living. And we remembered to do so with
honesty because it’s only the honest words that have the power to bring a
change, touch hearts, and awaken minds. I can only hope we never lose faith in
words. These tales are now as much yours as mine,” added Purva.
So, if it's words that you are falling short of, then the book has you
covered with its emotional, heart-wrenching relatable memories. Personalised
presents are the perfect way to show just how much you care about someone, and
you can get the books author-signed for your grandparents.
For more such updates, stay tuned to Films & TV World. Please
follow us on insta @filmsntvworld and on www.twitter.com/filmsntv
No comments:
Post a Comment