Teesta Review: A Journal of Poetry, Volume 5, Number 1. May 2022. ISSN: 2581-7094
‘The Zoo in My Backyard’ by Usha Rajagopalan
 |
The Zoo in My
Backyard | Memoir / Animal Tales | Usha Rajagopalan |
|
Manipal Universal Press | 2020 | ISBN-978-93-32460-99-7 | pp 168 | ₹ 290 |
The Zoo in My
Backyard written by Usha Rajagopalan has a captivating cover page illustration
by Malika Virdi. The sketch of a man feeding a cheerful baby elephant with his
family watching, tempts one to look inside. I flipped through the pages pausing
at the deft strokes of the illustrator Teamea Costa. They pique the interest even
more and make one an involved and curious observer of the drama that unfolds within
the pages.
The book presents
an unusual situation. An orthodox Brahmin extended family is put out of joint
by five boisterous, fun-loving, hyperactive siblings passionately devoted to
their pets, aided and encouraged by an indulgent, animal loving father. Their
world is presented with frankness, humour and gusto.
The diction is simple as suits the theme. The style is, as Lee Durrell observes,
easy going, fun-to-read. The chapter captions are interesting (Bunny Business,
Hare Scare, Hiss Tales) as are the animal names (Devil after Phantom’s
wolf-dog, Tommy, the Pomeranian, who is renamed Tommynathan, the flying
squirrel Judie so named because she resembled Cheechu’s teacher!)
Animal
Characters
There are
numerous entertaining anecdotes in the book. Of the many animals, birds and
fish that inhabit the home and the backyard, some compel special mention. The
antics of Kesavan, the monkey, provide the greatest amusement. Other creatures
too provide their share of fun. Psitta, the parakeet sternly orders the youngest
child to his books with its “Cheechu, padi da”! Devil, the dog, kowtows
before Appa in the manner of Iyer, the driver! Maxi contributes canine notes in
the music class, Tommynathan – “Gandhian in his gentleness” – has to be taught
to bark! Kuttan, the baby elephant, whose “Bakasura” like voracious appetite
necessities his departure to the zoo!
There are
tender moments too as when Mini, the gentle mousedeer, creeps silently to see a
newborn babe, or when Suku, the sidelined, smelly, weakling monkey, clings to
Manni, arousing her maternal instincts and winning her heart! Sadness enters
this fun-filled world as when the “homing” pigeons prove to be “birds of
passage” and when pets, ecstatically received and tended most lovingly have to
leave. There is even a tragic note when Snow White the tiny fluffy rabbit
(“little ball of white”) is accidently crushed to death.
Human
Characters
The humans
stand out vividly with a few deft strokes: Appa, the scholarly gentle patriarch,
Ammai, the orthodox tyrant of a grandmother, Manni, the gentle mother, the
multifaceted fun-uncle Baluchithappa. Even fringe characters make an impact as
do “Pathrose” the insolent newspaper boy and Iyer the obeisant driver.
The central
character, however, is the father, Anna, a conservationist with a passion for
flora and fauna. Bonding with animals comes naturally to a child. But the
circumstances of modern life could make this wane, even disappear. Anna did not
allow this to happen in his children. He nurtured in them a deep love and
respect for animals. He made them realize that animals are our natural and
integral allies in the grand scheme of things. They need their freedom and
space as much as we do.
Usha and her
siblings had a memorable if not unique childhood. Climbing trees, walking on
stilts, imitating bird calls, cuddling animals etc., seem an impossible dream for
today’s children living in a nuclear family in a restricted space and
overburdened with academics. The Zoo in My Backyard enables a vicarious
experience of those golden, carefree years and the possibilities that can lie
ahead. If the child’s freedom is being restricted, so is the freedom of
animals, their natural habitat reduced by encroachment. The book brings to the
fore these issues. Usha’s book is indeed a true tribute to her father.
Let me
conclude with a reference to Coleridge’s poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.”
Retribution follows a mariner who mindlessly kills an innocent albatross until
he realizes his kinship with all created things. He is then able to love and
respect man, bird and beast. He discovers the secret of true prayer:
He prayeth
best, who loveth best
All things
both great and small;
For the dear God
who loveth us,
He made and
loveth all.
Usha has
prayed well indeed!