Short Takes, Long Memories

Book Review- Short Takes, Long Memories
Author: Sharmila Kamat, Prabhakar Kamat
Publisher: Rupa&Co
Language: English
Binding: Paperback
Pages:183
Genre: Non-Fiction
ISBN: 978-81-291-1821-9

“Short Takes, Long Memories” is a narration of personal experiences of the authors in the eventful history of Goa - its transition from being a Portuguese colony to becoming a part of India. Here, the co-authors Sharmila Kamat and Prabhakar Kamat, share important phases of Prabhakar’s life.

The book is a celebration of life told through a string of anecdotes by the narrator and co-author Prabhakar Kamat. It is based on his experiences when he served under the Portuguese regime and then the Indian government as an IAS officer and Indian diplomat.

The novel begins in early 1940s, when young Prabhakar leaves the safe shores of Goa to pursue higher studies in unexplored Portugal. He speaks about his struggle as a student, worker, and a tourist. The scene of the action is Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, where Prabhakar experiences cultural shock along with his encounters of political revolutionaries, especially TB Cunha and the rise of Communism.

The book, mainly set in Portugal, reflects the life in Lisbon and the amalgamation of culture in Portugal and Goa. His experiences - good, bad, and sour - tells us a lot about the revolution that was just about to begin to thwart the reign of dictator Antonio de Oliveira Salazar. And that period was also a testing time for Europe as the Second World War was swathing its way into Europe, and Portugal was not untouched by its heat despite the fact that it had kept itself away from the Second World War.

The author’s  political, economic, or personal experiences are woven with passion that entice the reader till the end. Whether he talks about his life in Goa, Portugal or independent India, Prabhakar is able to draw out with delicate touches about his emotions and surroundings.

Prabhakar’s liberal use of his knowledge of languages, chiefly, Konkani, Hindi and Portuguese add colour and character to the narration.  In fact, Short Takes, Long Memories is not just about one’s experiences but also about the knowledge that he has gained during his trips to other European countries, including Brussels, Italy and France. Readers can richly relish an unintended comparison of life in Portugal, Goa and newly-independent India. Prabhakar has effortlessly touched upon a variety of topics including music, art, culture, politics, and geography.

Prabhakar has generously talked about the places that he had visited as a student or as an employee of the Portuguese government. But his real merit is showcased through his understanding of history, geography and polity.

For instance, while Prabhakar Kamat was leaving for Portugal for higher studies, his sea journey was long and he has been able to narrate the whole journey carrying the readers’ attention all along. His wit and dry humour is evident in his narration specially about the time when Indian Army had almost invaded Goa and Portuguese were struggling to keep hold of it and running short of artillery.

Kamat writes: “A telegram was sent to Lisbon, requesting a rush order of boxes of Sausages for the garrision in Goa. Sausage was the code word for an anti-tank grenade. On the commanding officer’s request, the crates were opened to reveal… rows upon rows of sausages… A little out-of place, though, on a conventional battlefield.”

Another instance that brings about his witty sarcasm is when Prabhakar was serving Indian government as Director of industries and Mines, and was delegated to serve the Union Minister on his official tour to Goa.   He writes about one of his encounters with the minister: “When I offered the coconut to the minister, he shook his head and said: 'I better not have it, else I will keep having it through the day. I will not know when to stop. So it is best that I do not have it'.”

In the course of the day, the minister refused to have anything for he would not know when to stop… As we entered the hotel, I felt it would be a good idea to have a long, cool drink after a lengthy, sweaty day. I  led the minister in the direction of the restaurant and suggested him to have a chilled beer. The minister was aghast. Offering liquor to him - while on duty! Shocking! He was a teetotaler, he informed. Besides, he began to add, I…better not have it….

There are many more instances of sarcasm, for example: When he accompanied C Subramanium, Union Minister for Steel and Mines, Subramanium’s shock was apparent when he inquired about the roadside bars and decided to shut them all. Prabhaker then compared it with the year 2010 when there were about 5000 bars across the state.

The book has all the flavours of looking at the world through the author’s eyes with his sharp insights, witty anecdotes, emotions and swings of a variety of cultural aspects in his life. Small Takes, Long Memories is an engaging work by its co-authors with its easy read and vast canvass.