Chapter 3: Iswaran the Storyteller
The Storyteller and the Listener
In this story by R.K. Laxman, we meet Mahendra, a junior supervisor whose job requires him to move frequently between construction sites. His constant companion is his cook, Iswaran, an extraordinary man who manages to conjure up delicious meals in desolate locations and weave endless stories.
Iswaran was more than just a cook; he was an asset to Mahendra. He washed his clothes, chatted with him at night, and filled the void left by the absence of a television with his vivid narrations.
The Art of Narrative
Iswaran's storytelling was deeply influenced by the Tamil thrillers he read. He didn't just tell a story; he performed it with dramatic gestures, arched eyebrows, and carefully crafted suspense.
- Suspense: Building tension before revealing the climax.
- Dramatic Gestures: Physicalizing the narrative.
- Realism in Fantasy: Blending mundane details with the supernatural.
The Tales of Iswaran
From describing an uprooted tree as an "enormous bushy beast" to his account of subduing a mad elephant using a Japanese art (Karate or Ju-jitsu), Iswaran's tales were always "packed with adventure, horror, and suspense."
The Haunted Night
The turning point occurs when Iswaran describes the factory site as an old burial ground. He claims to have seen a "horrible ghost of a woman" carrying a foetus on full-moon nights. Though Mahendra initially dismisses this as "talking nonsense," he soon finds himself paralyzed by fear one night when he sees a dark cloudy form outside his window.
The final blow to Mahendra's logic comes when Iswaran mentions hearing the ghost near Mahendra's room, leading Mahendra to resign and flee the "haunted place."
Vocabulary & Themes
Key Learnings
- The power of suggestion can affect even the most logical minds.
- Storytelling is a potent medium for cultural expression and entertainment.
- Fear of the unknown can sometimes outweigh logical reasoning.