Nemichandra's Peru Travelogue

Recently I had been to Honavar, our native place, to arrange a literary tribute program to my late husband Dr. K. L. Kamat. Later, I was having a short vacation enjoying the pollution-free air, beautiful sunrise and sunsets on the Sharavati river.

One evening, Ms Nemichandra, a distinguished writer and social activist, telephoned from Bangalore. Her travelogue on Peru was ready for publication, and she wanted me to release it! I was reluctant to cut short my vacation, then she added that the book is dedicated to Kamat's memory. I was overwhelmed at this gesture. Nemichandra is a good family friend. She had consulted Kamat before undertaking tours to Europe and U.S.A. She has also paid a touching tribute to Kamat in his commemorative volume 'Kammatiga'. She recalls how she is inspired by Kamat - to watch everyday happenings with an open eye. She felt, Kamat's travelogues brought out innumerable nuances of human activities effectively.

So, I cut short my stay at Honavar and returned to Bangalore. The book-release function was a memorable one.

Jyotsna Releasing Nemichandra`s Book
(From L to R) Nemichandra, Rahmat Tarikere, Hemalata Mahishi, Amma, C.R. Krishnamurthy

Her book, 'Peruvina Pavitra Kaniveyalli' (In the sacred valley of Peru), is published by Navakarnataka a leading publishing house in the state. It makes a delightful reading. The author has included lot of pictures she has clicked, along with acquired ones. Interspersed with anecdotes from the glorious history and cultural heritage of the (Red) Indian race, Nemichandra takes the readers to great heights of Andes mountains, to the wonder valley where Naska, Chouchula, Kusco and Machu-Pichu are situated and finally to float with her on the amazing Amazon.

She is the first Kannada woman writer to land in this region and record her unique experiences. When we learn that she does not know Spanish nor is she acquainted with local ways of life, coinage, modes of travel, and ways of moving about, we cannot but admire her grit, spot-decisions and spirit of adventure. She is a strict vegetarian and it is left to the imagination how she survived through the five week travel without proper nourishment.

She has brought out many traits common to us, Indians and local Indians. She felt at home in that strange and far off land and is convinced that language is no barrier to move about. Language of heart and signs is enough! It is really heartening to learn that in the remotest parts, people knew about Gandhi and India. At once, she ceased to be a stranger, when they knew that she came from Gandhi's land.

Nemichandra's descriptions are vivid, her style racy and humourous at times. She has that unique trait to laugh at herself and her own predicaments. The travelogue was earlier serialised in a popular Kannada Weekly and thousands read and liked it. As our young friend remarked, she has kindled wander-lust among people like him to undertake such a journey to far off Peru! It was an honour to me and to my late husband's memory to be associated with this unique book-release function. It also helped me to recollect sad chapters of world history.

See Also:
• List of Travelogues at Kamat's Potpourri
• Portrait of Writer Nemichandra
• Deccan Herald: Interview with Nemichandra