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Clamouring for truth
CATHERINE RHEA ROY
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/books/clamouring-for-truth/article4229221.ece
John Balian
TOPICS
books and literature
Gray Wolves And White Doves, a dark and edgy coming of age story by
first-time novelist John Balian, was launched in the city earlier this
month
Historical memories, genocide, fundamentalism - it all comes together
in Gray Wolves And White Doves a novel by John Balian.
The novel documents a personal account, the journey of a young boy
into adulthood in a tumultuous setting and how he overcomes the odds.
The inspiring story is uplifting despite the horrific things the
protagonist witnesses as a 16-year-old.
The book takes place in the 60s and 70s, almost 50 years after the
Armenian genocide and the boy in the story is exposed to this history
through his uncle. It is the memories of this history that Balian has
woven into his narrative; the truth of a genocide that is continually
denied and till date remains unresolved.
John Balian was accompanied by a panel - Jahnvi Barua, Harish Bijoor
and C.V. Ranganathan, who took turns to ask him questions and probe
further to uncover a first hand account. When Bijoor asked him about
the resilience that Balian's protagonist displays, the author said,
`The resilience is not unique to this one individual; besides, I
cannot say I was unscathed. Writing this book was a moment of
liberation.'
`The beauty of the human spirit comes through in the book. And the
beauty of his writing, it is so lyrical you can almost visualise the
sun-kissed beach and the mountains hemming it in,' Jahnvi began
poetically and after a dramatic pause she asked, `What really happened
in 1915?'
`It was a pre-planned, well organised and well executed plan of
extermination. Young Turks were sent word to deport all Armenians in
the region. They arrested all the intelligentsia, church leaders,
writers, sent them away to the interiors and killed them. About
500,000 Armenians survived and lived as refugees across the world,'
answered Balian. He continued to talk about the Bedouins in the desert
who were the true heroes of the time, `The Bedouins of Iraq, Syria and
Lebanon - it was their kindness. They gave the Armenians a home and
invited them into their large communities.'
The book narrates a history that is largely unknown but Balian is not
worried about the reception of his book in Turkey. `Things are
changing in Turkey,' assures Balian, `Orhan Pamuk was banned because
he used the phrase `Armenian genocide' but intellectuals and
historians are coming forward and urging people to speak; people are
clamouring for the truth. This is probably the most important issue
for the Armenian diaspora and has been since 1975. Before, the
Armenian population was still in a state of shock and shame. This was
not a history they wanted to discuss or pass on to the next
generation.'
The new generation was urged to forget their language and customs and
it was like that for over 50 years till the younger generation
revolted and wanted to recognise and be proud of their heritage. `The
past is never the past, it stays with us. How do you live where it
doesn't consume you; live with it in your life and still look to the
future? You should never forget, but forgive the past - but you cannot
forgive unless the Turkish government seeks forgiveness and until then
the bitterness remains and festers.'
CATHERINE RHEA ROY
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/books/clamouring-for-truth/article4229221.ece
John Balian
TOPICS
books and literature
Gray Wolves And White Doves, a dark and edgy coming of age story by
first-time novelist John Balian, was launched in the city earlier this
month
Historical memories, genocide, fundamentalism - it all comes together
in Gray Wolves And White Doves a novel by John Balian.
The novel documents a personal account, the journey of a young boy
into adulthood in a tumultuous setting and how he overcomes the odds.
The inspiring story is uplifting despite the horrific things the
protagonist witnesses as a 16-year-old.
The book takes place in the 60s and 70s, almost 50 years after the
Armenian genocide and the boy in the story is exposed to this history
through his uncle. It is the memories of this history that Balian has
woven into his narrative; the truth of a genocide that is continually
denied and till date remains unresolved.
John Balian was accompanied by a panel - Jahnvi Barua, Harish Bijoor
and C.V. Ranganathan, who took turns to ask him questions and probe
further to uncover a first hand account. When Bijoor asked him about
the resilience that Balian's protagonist displays, the author said,
`The resilience is not unique to this one individual; besides, I
cannot say I was unscathed. Writing this book was a moment of
liberation.'
`The beauty of the human spirit comes through in the book. And the
beauty of his writing, it is so lyrical you can almost visualise the
sun-kissed beach and the mountains hemming it in,' Jahnvi began
poetically and after a dramatic pause she asked, `What really happened
in 1915?'
`It was a pre-planned, well organised and well executed plan of
extermination. Young Turks were sent word to deport all Armenians in
the region. They arrested all the intelligentsia, church leaders,
writers, sent them away to the interiors and killed them. About
500,000 Armenians survived and lived as refugees across the world,'
answered Balian. He continued to talk about the Bedouins in the desert
who were the true heroes of the time, `The Bedouins of Iraq, Syria and
Lebanon - it was their kindness. They gave the Armenians a home and
invited them into their large communities.'
The book narrates a history that is largely unknown but Balian is not
worried about the reception of his book in Turkey. `Things are
changing in Turkey,' assures Balian, `Orhan Pamuk was banned because
he used the phrase `Armenian genocide' but intellectuals and
historians are coming forward and urging people to speak; people are
clamouring for the truth. This is probably the most important issue
for the Armenian diaspora and has been since 1975. Before, the
Armenian population was still in a state of shock and shame. This was
not a history they wanted to discuss or pass on to the next
generation.'
The new generation was urged to forget their language and customs and
it was like that for over 50 years till the younger generation
revolted and wanted to recognise and be proud of their heritage. `The
past is never the past, it stays with us. How do you live where it
doesn't consume you; live with it in your life and still look to the
future? You should never forget, but forgive the past - but you cannot
forgive unless the Turkish government seeks forgiveness and until then
the bitterness remains and festers.'