Readings on Kerala

11
Christian Heritage
Vaikkom Muhammed Basheer

INTRO - Author

Vaikkom Muhammed Basheer, popularly referred to as Beypore Sulthan, is an iconic figure in

Malayalam literature. He is a widely read novelist and short story writer. His unique style,
subtle humour, profound sympathy, and peculiar language made him very popular. Basheer
has won numerous prestigious awards. He was a fellow of Sahitya Akademy and a
distinguished fellow of Kerala Sahitya Academi. Basheer was awarded Padmasree in 1982 for
his contributions to Malayalam literature.
Ntuppuppakkoranendarnnu, Pathummayude Aadu, Balyakalasakhi, Mathilukal and
Premalekhanam are a few of his popular stories and novellas.

SHORT ANSWERS
1. What makes the narrator proud?
The narrator is proud because an unexpected guest visits Basheer’s house just to see
him in person. A Christian has come to visit a Muslim.

2. Why has Kochu Thommi come to see the narrator?

Kochu Thommi has read a lot of Basheer's books. So, he thought he should meet him
in person.

3. Who all were there in Kochu Thommi's family?

Kochu Thommi's wife died. He has nine children – four sons and five daughters. The
daughters were married off and sons had settled with their families.

4. Why did Kochu Thommi stay back at the writer's house on that night?
Basheer and Kochu Thommi sat talking for a long time even after supper. And it was
too late into the night. Thommi yielded to Basheer’s suggestion and stayed at the narrator's
house on that night.

5. What served as a pillow for Kochu Thommi?

The book, Christian Heritage in India by Sri John Ochanthuruth served as his pillow.

6. What was Kochu Thommi's gift to the story writer?

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 Two fresh one hundred-rupee notes was Kochu Thommi's gift to the narrator.
PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS

1. Describe the character of Kochu Thommi.

Kochu Thommi was a Christian from Changanassery. He was settled in Malabar for the
past nine years. He was a brown skinned man with sinewy body. His hard work had made the
skin of his palms rough. He wore a half sleeve shirt, a dhoti and had a towel on his shoulders.
He was an industrious labourer. He might not have shaved in a month. His wife was no more.
He had nine children – four sons and five daughters. He was an avid reader of the narrator and
wanted to meet him in person.

2. Justify the title of the story

The title of the story Christian Heritage is very appropriate. It talks about universal
love and humanity. In the story, a visitor named Kochu Thommi, comes to visit Basheer. He is
a rugged peasant and an avid reader of the narrator. Basheer projects this visit as a pan -
religious one, for a Christian has come to visit a Muslim. The book titled Christian Heritage
in India by John Ochanthuruth has served as a pillow for Kochu Thommi. Basheer upholds his
staunch faith in universal love and humanity through the story. The title of the story is very
evocative and highly relevant.

3. Comment on author’s attitude towards Kochu Thommi.

In the story, Christian Heritage by Vaikkom Muhammed Basheer, a man named Kochu
Thommi comes to visit him. He is an ardent reader of Basheer. Basheer feels so proud that a
Christian has come to visit a Muslim. They talk for a long time about black pepper, coffee and
rubber, even after dinner. Thommi spends the night there. Basheer also gives him ten rupees
for his expenses, but the latter has left two one hundred-rupee notes in the book used as a
pillow. Basheer is full of love and sympathy for the man. The incident sheds light on his staunch
faith in universal love and humanity.

ESSAY 1

1. Describe how the interactions between the author and the guest in the story Christian
Heritage speak about Basheer's philosophy of life.
Christian Heritage by Vaikkom Muhammed Basheer is a story that upholds his
philosophy of life. The interactions between the author and the guest in the story highlight
value of humanity and universal love. With his unique style, subtle humour and specialised use
of common language, Basheer narrated the stories of downtrodden and the marginalised
sections of the society.
The story begins with the visit by Kochu Thommi to Basheer. A Christian farmer from
Changanassery, Thommi is an ardent reader of Basheer. He is settled in Malabar for the past
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nine years. A widower, he has nine children. He was hospitalized for one month. On discharge
from hospital, he comes to meet Basheer in person.
Basheer feels so proud that a Christian has come to visit a Muslim. They talk for a long
time about black pepper, coffee and rubber, even after dinner. On Basheer’s suggestion,
Thommi spends the night there on a mat, with the book Christian Heritage in India by Sri John
Ochanthuruth as a pillow. Basheer also gives him ten rupees for his expenses, but the latter has
left two hundred-rupee notes in the book.
Basheer projects this visit as a pan - religious one. The story brings out Basheer’s
philosophy of life. Basheer is full of love and sympathy for the man. Besides underlining the
value of humanity and universal love, Basheer also questions society’s prejudices against
common people like peasants.

ESSAY 2

2. “Christian Heritage reiterates the author’s faith in humanity and kindness." Comment.
The story Christian Heritage by Vaikkom Muhammed Basheer reiterates the author’s faith
in humanity and kindness. It also upholds his philosophy of life.
Par 2, and 3
Basheer projects the incident as a pan - religious visit. The story brings out Basheer’s basic
philosophy of life. He is full of love and sympathy for the man. He also questions society’s
prejudices against common people like peasants. The story underlines the author’s faith in
humanity and universal love.
.
♣♣♣

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