Nine, Ten. Big Fat Hen - New Game of tag

Boddi tagged me on to this fun and demanding exercise of listing out 10 of our favourite literary characters.
It was a great nostalgic trip remembering the characters, their idiosyncrasies and the reason why you love them.
Here are my 10 best.

And I tag : Anks, Slogan, Dashy, Raghu.


Calvin

6 year old Friend. Philosopher. Guide. He’s the reason I look at life around and think why not?

Jughead Jones

I see a lot of me in him. Our Motto ‘if it can be postponed till tomorrow why do it today’?

Sherlock Holmes

Wit, wisdom and intelligence he had it all. Not to forget weaknesses. Showed no hero can be perfect. Arthur Conan Doyle should have been immortal and given us more stories with this exceptional character.

Frank and Joe Hardy

Fenton Hardy, Chet Morton and his sister and Callie Shaw. All living in Bayport. Fank’s marathon running, Joe’s 100 meter dashes, Chet’s new hobbies. Fankiln W Dixon had me hooked with his Mystery stories and the Case files series. I had a huge collection and used to proudly show off.

Fatty

Larry, Pip, Daisy, Bets and Buster were the rest of Five Find outers and Dog. Fatty used to always have money and I was in love with his ‘pome’ reciting and disguising skills. How a 12 year old could wear disguise and fool Mr. Goon and solve mysteries I don’t know. But believed every word written by Enid Blyton.

Kivi / Maara / Mandanna

Poornachandra Tejaswi’s works assume the air of detective writing because of their exploratory nature. He was able to cater to two categories of readers - those who looked for entertainment in literature as well as to those for whom it was a serious intellectual pursuit. Tejaswi was majorly drawn towards nature, modern science and technology. Along with the dog and the bee, you find that a jeep, a scooter and water pump becoming characters in his writings. Also his sometimes raw, but earthy humor would have you in splits.

Kivi – cocker spaniel shikari dog named after its long drooping ears, Maara – the village simpleton with earthy wisdom, Mandanna –bee keeper and forest tracker - are just some brilliant examples of Tejaswi’s trademark characterization.

Belta Mera / Kunji Moonu Byaari / Rosli

I am glad I discovered Kedambadi Jattappa Rai before I read Jim Corbett and Kipling. ‘Jim Corbett of India’ is an epithet he richly deserves. His master piece ‘Beteya Nenapugalu’ (Hunting Memoires) not only showcased how rich the flora and fauna of Tulu land was but also instilled a sense of adventure in me.

All stories are centered on the forests around ‘PiliMajalu’ a village near Uppinagady and Subramanya in Puttur Taluk. Belta Mera, Kunji Monu Byaari, Kent Couple and their daughter Rosli, Cape guns, Single barrel , Double Barrel guns, various types of fauna like Hare, Wild boar, Tiger, Wild hens that were hunted still are fresh in my memory as though I have read them yesterday. Till date I regret not buying the entire collection when it was on sale from an old library.

Rusty / Binya / Sita / Sheroo

Most of Ruskin Bonds writings show a strong influence from the social life in the hill stations at the foothills of the Himalayas, where he spent his childhood. Characters like Rusty, Binya , Sita, Bishnu or Sheroo are , simple and uncomplicated beings and ooze earthy and simple wisdom through their actions.

Swami

Swaminathan, a boy full of innocence, wonder, and mischief, and his experiences growing up in the fictional town of Malgudi. He is a student at the British-established Albert Mission School. Life changes dramatically for young Swami when Rajam, son of a police officer joins his school and the dispute that occurs between Rajam and Mani.

Shauri aka Jeeves
Inspired by PG Wodehouse, kannada writer KeFa created Shauri – The quintessential man friday of Paandu - The Dunhill smoking hapless chap with never ending list of relatives. Though I later started reading Jeeves, I relate better with Shauri who with his ‘knowledge’ always saves the day.

Thanks Mr. Forester. I owe you one.

“Thanks much much much”!! M’s excited voice on the other end of phone made me grin.

This was the first time I was speaking to M and I was already on a strong wicket. What had I done?

Simple. Followed Mr. Forester’s advice.

It’s not so simple actually. I had to figure out what to do, how to do and then do it in style. I turned to my trusted lieutenant – Information.

Social networking sites that I frequented came in handy. Interests were scanned, hobbies were checked and even common work friends consulted. My, my! I never researched anything so much even on routine work projects.

Then came the brain wave. It usually comes when I am not thinking of the problem and in the loo.

Mind processes information selectively and recalls them mysteriously.

Some news bit that acted as background noise while speaking over phone was remembered vividly and as a result newspapers were scanned. Internet search was done and the fact confirmed. A call was placed for a personal favor to a friend living in a city I always looked down upon. Suddenly I regretted hating that city. A plan was forming.

Then came the time for sending across what I had put together. A big bout of un-certainty made me stop in my tracks. An urgent chat invite was sent to a close friend as it was time for some feminine touch. On being blasted for having put in the hard work and not having the guts to cross the final hurdle, the scales tilted on to the chat consultant’s favor and I took the plunge.

Result?

“Thanks much much much”!! M’s excited voice on the other end of phone made me grin.

So what did Mr. Forester say that stood me in good stead?

“An unexpected gift at an unexpected time”! With a bit of information and technology I would add.