'THIRD EAR' that opened our inner eye

Ravindra Bhat is my journalist friend for over two decades. He is a senior reporter with Prajavani daily. A couple of back, he asked me to be a part of a book release function he had penned. Yesterday  was the event in which I took part. Veteran Literateur Chandrashekara Kambara graced the function. The title of the book is Murane Kivi , meaning "The Third Ear". Ravindra Bhat has come out with this excellent, unique, special work in which he himself is a real act. The title, the content, the narration.... all is refreshingly different.     

   

It is the true story of a life journey. Ravindra Bhat's second son  Niranjan is the Hero of this book. He is a deaf child since birth. As we all know, if one cannot hear since childhood, he cannot speak. Speech follows hearing. We tend to repeat what we hear. For those unfortunate children who are denied the ability to hear, speaking is altogether an alien ability. It is the saga of a mother who has sacrificed her all wishes, to achieve that one supreme wish - that of making her Niranjan a normal human being. It is a revelation to see all those things, which we take for granted appear so different. The methods adopted to teach alphabets, to inculcate emotions, to differentiate between animate & inanimate things......they are just superb.

This book is a must read, for anyone who wants to know about others. Few years back, I was greatly moved after reading an inspirational classic- 'Tuesdays with Morrie' by Mitch Albom which introduces you to many facets of life.

I should say, “Murane Kivi”  made the same impact on me.

While he was the Deputy Chief Minister, Sri Yeddyurappa as had visited the school where Niranjan studied. On seeing these great souls he had expressed his candid feelings thus. "God had determinedly sent your children here to live as deaf & dumb. But the mothers who have defied those Gods and made these children to talk like normal Children are greater than those Gods, and here is my salute to them". I am sure, anybody who starts reading this unputdownable excellent piece of work will definitely endorse that statement.

The biggest and the most touching part of today’s event was the young Niranjana himself, on the dais who has learnt to speak in a completely different manner made welcome speech. His mother Deepa Bhat was beaming with joy when her efforts bore fruit in his welcome speech. She must surely have forgotten all her trials & tribulations she has been through all these years.

I hereby urge all my friends to experience this great effort of a self-denying mother and we will know what a mother means. Please, if you can. The book has been published by Sumukha Prakashana.